Best Auction Houses & Dealers in the United States
The biggest auction houses and antique dealers in the US compared — Heritage, Christie's, Sotheby's, and 40+ more. Fees, specialties, and how to sell.
The American Auction Market
The United States is home to the world's largest and most diverse auction market. From the prestigious salesrooms of New York City — where Christie's, Sotheby's, and Heritage Auctions conduct billions in annual transactions — to regional specialists scattered across every state, American buyers and sellers have unparalleled access to auction services.
The US market is distinguished by its breadth of specialization. Heritage Auctions in Dallas dominates collectibles including coins, comics, and sports memorabilia. New York remains the global center for fine art and jewelry sales, while cities like Philadelphia, Chicago, and New Orleans each have deep-rooted auction traditions spanning centuries.
Online bidding has transformed the American market more than any other. Most major US auction houses now offer live online bidding, opening their sales to a global audience. This digital evolution has also given rise to platforms like LiveAuctioneers and Invaluable, which aggregate listings from hundreds of smaller regional houses.
For sellers, the US market offers competitive buyer's premiums (typically 20-28%) and a strong culture of consignment services. Many houses offer free appraisal days, making it easy to explore your options before committing to a sale.
US auction houses at a glance
44 houses compared by city, age, specialties and buyer's premium. Seller commission is usually agreed per consignment, so ask each house for a quote.
| Auction house | City | Founded | Known for | Buyer's premium | Online bidding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abell Auction Company | Los Angeles | 1916 | Antique Furniture, Fine Art & Paintings, Fine Jewelry & Gems | 23-25% | Yes |
| Bonhams Skinner | Marlborough | 1971 | Fine Jewelry & Gems, Fine Art & Paintings, Antique Furniture | From 1 Oct 2026: 30% up to $35K; 28% to $750K; 25% to $1.5M; 21% to $7... | Yes |
| Clars Auction Gallery | Oakland | 1972 | Fine Art & Paintings, Fine Jewelry & Gems, Ceramics & Porcelain | 26% up to $500K; 20% $500K–$1M; 10% above; +2% Clars online, +5% other... | Yes |
| Cottone Auctions | Geneseo | 1985 | Fine Art & Paintings, Antique Furniture, Fine Jewelry & Gems | 22% flat; +3% card payments | Yes |
| DuMouchelles | Detroit | 1927 | Fine Art & Paintings, Fine Jewelry & Gems, Antique Furniture | 24% direct (in person, phone, absentee, dumoart.com); higher via third... | Yes |
| Freeman's Chicago (formerly Hindman) | Chicago | 1982 | Fine Art & Paintings, Fine Jewelry & Gems, Antique Furniture | Live: 28% up to $1M; 21% above. Timed online 30%, online-only 28% (coi... | Yes |
| Freeman's Cincinnati (formerly Cowan's) | Cincinnati | 1995 | Vintage Collectibles, Fine Art & Paintings, Antique Furniture | Live: 28% up to $1M; 21% above. Timed online 30%, online-only 28% (coi... | Yes |
| Hake's Auctions | York | 1967 | Vintage Collectibles | Typically 20% of hammer price | Yes |
| iGavel Auctions | New York | 2003 | Fine Art & Paintings, Antique Furniture, Ceramics & Porcelain | Set by each consigning auction house; varies by sale | Yes |
| Invaluable | Boston | 1989 | Fine Art & Paintings, Antique Furniture, Fine Jewelry & Gems | Online bidding surcharge of 3-5% in addition to auction house buyer's... | Yes |
| John Moran Auctioneers | Monrovia | 1969 | Fine Art & Paintings, Fine Jewelry & Gems, Antique Furniture | 27% up to $1M (direct/own site); 32% via LiveAuctioneers/Invaluable | Yes |
| Julien's Auctions | Beverly Hills | 2003 | Vintage Collectibles | Typically 26% (check sale terms) | Yes |
| Kaminski Auctions | Beverly | 1985 | Antique Furniture, Fine Art & Paintings, Fine Jewelry & Gems | 20% in person/phone/absentee; 25% online | Yes |
| LiveAuctioneers | New York | 2002 | Fine Art & Paintings, Antique Furniture, Fine Jewelry & Gems | Online surcharge varies by auction house; added to standard buyer's pr... | Yes |
| Material Culture | Philadelphia | 1980 | Rugs & Textiles, Fine Art & Paintings, Vintage Collectibles | Approximately 25%; may be higher on some online platforms | Yes |
| Morphy Auctions | Denver | 2004 | Vintage Collectibles, Antique Furniture | 23%; + surcharge via third-party platforms; +3% card payments | Yes |
| Nate D. Sanders Auctions | Los Angeles | 1986 | Vintage Collectibles, Books & Manuscripts | Typically 20% of hammer price | Yes |
| New Orleans Auction Galleries | New Orleans | 1988 | Fine Art & Paintings, Antique Furniture, Fine Jewelry & Gems | 25% up to $200K; 12% above; 30% (up to $200K) via LiveAuctioneers/Inva... | Yes |
| Pook & Pook | Downingtown | 1984 | Antique Furniture, Fine Art & Paintings, Vintage Collectibles | 27% up to $1M; 20% above; + surcharge via third-party platforms | Yes |
| Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries | New York | 1930 | Vintage Collectibles, Books & Manuscripts | 18% of hammer price | Yes |
| RR Auction | Boston | 1976 | Vintage Collectibles | 25% of hammer price; additional 3% for credit/debit card payments | Yes |
| Shapiro Auctions | Mamaroneck | 2007 | Fine Art & Paintings, Books & Manuscripts, Vintage Collectibles | Approximately 25% | Yes |
| Stack's Bowers Galleries | Costa Mesa | 1933 | Coins & Currency | 22% (min $29 per lot), auctions closing from Apr 1, 2026 | Yes |
| Stair Galleries | Hudson | 2001 | Antique Furniture, Fine Art & Paintings, Ceramics & Porcelain | 31% up to $50K; 25% above; +5% via bidding platforms | Yes |
| Sotheby's | New York | 1744 | Fine Art, Jewelry, Watches | 28% up to $2M, 22% on the portion $2M–$8M, 15% above $8M (£1.5M / £6M... | Yes |
| Heritage Auctions | Dallas | 1976 | Coins, Comics, Fine Art | 20% on most categories; 22% on some online-only sales | Yes |
| Freeman's | Philadelphia | 1805 | Fine Art, Jewelry, Antiques | Live: 28% up to $1M; 21% above. Timed online 30%, online-only 28% (coi... | Yes |
| Doyle | New York | 1963 | Fine Art, Jewelry, Furniture | 28% up to $50K; 27% $50K–$1M; 21% $1M–$4M; 15% above | Yes |
| Swann Auction Galleries | New York | 1941 | Books, Manuscripts, Maps | 27% up to $100K; 22% $100K–$1M; 12% above; +5% via Invaluable/LiveAuct... | Yes |
| Leland Little Auctions | Hillsborough | 2001 | Fine Art, Antiques, Decorative Arts | 20% via LelandLittle.com/in-house; 25% via third-party platforms; vehi... | Yes |
| Neal Auction Company | New Orleans | 1984 | Fine Art, Antiques, Decorative Arts | 25% up to $200K; 15% above (22% if paid by cash/check/wire within 5 da... | Yes |
| Eldred's | East Dennis | 1947 | Asian Art, Marine Art, Americana | 28% up to $500K; 10% above (select sales 26% or 30%) | Yes |
| Brunk Auctions | Asheville | 1983 | Fine Art, Decorative Arts, Jewelry | 25% (cash/check/wire); 28% via Bidsquare; 30% via LiveAuctioneers; +3%... | Yes |
| Rago Auctions | Lambertville | 1994 | Design, Fine Art, Ceramics | 28% up to $2M; 22% above; + surcharge via third-party sites | Yes |
| Wright | Chicago | 2000 | Design, Fine Art, Jewelry | 28% up to $2M; 22% above; + surcharge via third-party sites | Yes |
| M.S. Rau | New Orleans | 1912 | Fine Art, Antiques, Jewelry | No buyer's premium (dealer, not auction) | — |
| 1stDibs | New York | 2000 | Furniture, Fine Art, Jewelry | No buyer's premium | — |
| Ruby Lane | San Francisco | 1998 | Antiques, Vintage, Collectibles | No buyer's premium | — |
| Kentshire Galleries | New York | 1940 | Jewelry, English Furniture, Decorative Arts | N/A (dealer) | — |
| Newel | New York | 1939 | Furniture, Lighting, Decorative Arts | N/A (dealer) | — |
| Todd Merrill Studio | New York | 2000 | Design, Studio Furniture, Contemporary Design | N/A (dealer) | — |
| Maison Gerard | New York | 1974 | Art Deco, Design, Furniture | N/A (dealer) | — |
| S.J. Shrubsole | New York | 1912 | Silver, Antique Jewelry, Sheffield Plate | N/A (dealer) | — |
| A La Vieille Russie | New York | 1851 | Faberge, Jewelry, Russian Decorative Arts | N/A (dealer) | — |
Abell Auction Company
Auction HouseSouthern California's oldest auction house, a century-old family firm specializing in fine estate furnishings, art, and jewelry.
Bonhams Skinner
Auction HouseNew England's premier auction house for fine art, jewelry, and Americana, now part of the Bonhams global network.
Clars Auction Gallery
Auction HouseThe San Francisco Bay Area's leading auction house for fine art, Asian art, jewelry, and estate collections.
Cottone Auctions
Auction HouseA Western New York auction house celebrated for Tiffany Studios lamps, fine art, and estate jewelry.
DuMouchelles
Auction HouseDetroit's premier auction house since 1927, a four-generation family firm specializing in fine art, jewelry, and decorative arts.
Freeman's Chicago (formerly Hindman)
Auction HouseThe pioneering Midwest auction house that grew into one of America's top five, now trading as Freeman's.
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Freeman's Cincinnati (formerly Cowan's)
Auction HouseA nationally recognized specialist in Historic Americana, Civil War memorabilia, and American Indian arts, now trading as Freeman's.
Hake's Auctions
Auction HouseAmerica's first pop culture auction house, specializing in comics, toys, and memorabilia since 1967.
iGavel Auctions
Auction HousePioneering online auction platform founded by former Sotheby's director Lark Mason, specializing in fine art, Asian art, and antiques.
Invaluable
DealerThe world's leading online auction marketplace connecting bidders with thousands of auction houses globally.
John Moran Auctioneers
Auction HouseSouthern California's family-run specialist in California art, fine jewelry, and 20th-century design since 1969.
Julien's Auctions
Auction HouseThe auction house to the stars, specializing in celebrity and entertainment memorabilia since 2003.
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Kaminski Auctions
Auction HouseA Beverly, Massachusetts auction house renowned for high-profile estate sales, Asian art, and celebrity collections.
LiveAuctioneers
DealerThe world's leading live online bidding platform, connecting collectors with 1,600+ auction houses since 2002.
Material Culture
Auction HousePhiladelphia's eclectic auction house specializing in antique rugs, tribal art, ethnographic objects, and global folk art.
Morphy Auctions
Auction HousePremier American auction house for antique toys, advertising, coin-operated machines, and Americana.
Nate D. Sanders Auctions
Auction HouseLos Angeles auction house specializing in autographs, historical documents, and entertainment memorabilia.
New Orleans Auction Galleries
Auction HouseThe Gulf South's leading auction house for Southern art, Continental furniture, fine jewelry, and silver.
Pook & Pook
Auction HousePennsylvania's leading Americana auction house, renowned for folk art, painted furniture, and early American decorative arts.
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
Auction HouseAmerica's premier stamp auction house, handling the finest philatelic properties since 1930.
RR Auction
Auction HouseLeading auction house for historical autographs, space memorabilia, and rare artifacts since 1976.
Shapiro Auctions
Auction HouseA boutique New York auction house known for strong results in European, American, and Russian fine art.
Stack's Bowers Galleries
Auction HouseAmerica's oldest and most prestigious rare coin auction house, setting world records since 1933.
Stair Galleries
Auction HouseA leading Hudson Valley auction house specializing in fine and decorative arts from the 17th through 20th centuries.
Sotheby's
Auction HouseThe world's oldest major auction house, where art meets commerce since 1744.
Heritage Auctions
Auction HouseThe world's largest collectibles auctioneer, from coins to comics to fine art.
Freeman's
Auction HouseAmerica's oldest auction house, combining East Coast heritage with Midwest reach.
Doyle
Auction HouseNew York's family-owned auction house, specializing in estates and fine art since 1963.
Swann Auction Galleries
Auction HouseNew York specialists in rare books, autographs, maps, photographs, and works on paper.
Leland Little Auctions
Auction HouseA leading regional auction house in the American South, est. 2001.
Neal Auction Company
Auction HouseNew Orleans' authority on Southern fine and decorative arts since 1984.
Eldred's
Auction HouseCape Cod auction house specializing in Asian art, marine art, and Americana since 1950.
Brunk Auctions
Auction HouseAsheville-based auction house serving the Southeast with fine art and decorative arts.
Rago Auctions
Auction HouseLeading 20th-century design and modern art auction house in Lambertville, NJ.
Wright
Auction HouseChicago design auction house specializing in 20th and 21st century furniture and art.
M.S. Rau
DealerOver a century of fine art, antiques, and jewelry on New Orleans' Royal Street.
1stDibs
DealerThe world's largest online marketplace for luxury furniture, art, and jewelry.
Ruby Lane
DealerCurated online marketplace for antiques, vintage collectibles, and fine art.
Kentshire Galleries
DealerThree generations of antique jewelry and English furniture in New York, since 1940.
Newel
DealerOne of America's largest antiques galleries — 40,000+ pieces spanning five centuries.
Todd Merrill Studio
DealerPioneer of post-war American studio furniture and contemporary design in New York.
Maison Gerard
DealerFrench Art Deco and 20th-century design specialists in New York since 1974.
S.J. Shrubsole
DealerOne of the world's foremost dealers in antique English and American silver since 1912.
A La Vieille Russie
DealerPreeminent Fabergé, jewelry, and Russian decorative arts dealer since 1851.
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