The Freeman’s | Hindman executive team. From Left: Hanna Dougher, COO; Fraser I. Niven, president; … [+]
Representatives of the Hindman and Freeman’s auction houses said Tuesday that they will merge their businesses, creating a network of six salerooms and 18 regional offices across the country. Under the name, Freeman’s | Hindman, executives for the new company say it will have “the largest, coast-to-coast presence of any auction house in the United States, with plans to expand into international markets.”
Freeman’s, based in Philadelphia, is the oldest auction house in America with a history spanning 218 years. It specializes in American arts, crafts and collectibles with a particular niche in Pennsylvania Impressionists.
Chicago-based Hindman, founded in 1982 is a full-service auction house dealing in all major fine art and luxury collecting categories.
The website for the two auction houses has been combined and an executive team for the merged company is installed, even though the statement announcing the merger reads as if it isn’t finalized.
The executives say this new company will be “well-positioned to lead the upper-middle auction market” in the U.S. Its plans include expansion of its website offerings as well.
One area of growth the new company is focused on is New York. In its first move as a joint company, it will open a new 5,000-square-foot saleroom this month at 32 East 67th St.
Freeman’s | Hindman new 5,000-square-foot New York saleroom at 32 East 67th St.
For Freeman’s, it will mark a return to New York with a physical presence. Hindman entered New York in October 2023, hosting three auctions in a pop-up space in Soho. Hindman purchased the building in December 2023, according to a report.
The new company is also looking at expanding internationally through a partnership Freeman’s has with the Lyon & Turnbull auction house, based in Edinburgh with additional locations in London and Glasgow.
“The merger strengthens our advantage in an increasingly competitive auction market and sets us up for continued growth across the United States and globally, especially with Freeman’s existing international relationship with Lyon & Turnbull,” said Jay Frederick Krehbiel, Freeman’s | Hindman executive chairman.
While being billed as a partnership of equals, five of the eight members of the new executive committee are from Hindman, including Krehbiel and the new CEO, Alyssa D. Quinlan.
Other members of the new executive team are:
- Fraser I. Niven, president
- Hanna Dougher, chief operating officer
- Andrew Seltzer, deputy chief operating officer
- Alasdair Nichol, deputy chairman
- Molly Morse Limmer, deputy chairman
- Molly E. Gron, managing director, National, Trusts, Estates & Private Clients
The combined company will have salerooms in Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, New York, Palm Beach and Philadelphia.
Additional regional locations will be in Atlanta, Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, Miami, Milwaukee, Naples, Richmond, St. Louis, San Diego, Scottsdale and Washington, D.C.
