Kaminski Auctions

Kaminski Auctions is one of the most dynamic and versatile auction houses in New England, a firm led by the energetic and media-savvy Frank Kaminski that has built a national reputation through a combination of serious antiques expertise, a remarkably broad range of specialist departments, and an uncanny ability to land high-profile consignments that generate headlines far beyond the auction world. Based in Beverly, Massachusetts, on Boston's picturesque North Shore, Kaminski has specialized in the appraisal and auction of fine antiques, art, jewelry, and estate pieces for over four decades. The firm's trajectory reflects Frank Kaminski's entrepreneurial spirit and deep knowledge of the antiques trade. In the early 1990s, an 1855 barn and colonial home on Cabot Street in Beverly became the company's headquarters. As the business grew, a new purpose-built auction gallery and office complex was constructed in 2009 at 117 Elliott Street in Beverly, providing the modern facilities needed to handle the firm's increasing volume and the logistical demands of its most ambitious sales. Kaminski Auctions holds approximately twenty-five auctions per year, a robust calendar that includes monthly general estate auctions, four dedicated Asian Art sales, two vintage couture and clothing auctions, and various specialty events. This frequency and diversity set Kaminski apart from many regional competitors, ensuring a constant supply of fresh material and giving collectors multiple opportunities to bid throughout the year. The firm's specialist departments are unusually numerous for a regional auction house, covering over twenty categories including Twentieth-Century Modern Design and Contemporary Art, Antique and Classic Cars, Antique Furniture, Antique Porcelain and Ceramics, Asian Art and Antiques, Autographs and Books, Ephemera and Photography, Decorative Arts, Fine Art, Glass and Lighting, Jewelry and Coins, Luxury Handbags and Accessories, Vintage Couture, Militaria, Oriental Rugs, Silver, Tribal Arts, and Wine and Spirits. This breadth allows Kaminski to handle virtually any type of estate without needing to parcel categories out to other firms. What has truly elevated Kaminski's national profile, however, is its track record of securing extraordinary, headline-making consignments. The firm served as auctioneer for the iconic Waldorf Astoria Hotel when the legendary New York landmark was being renovated. That massive undertaking required eight days of continuous selling, with fifteen thousand lots displayed across a one-million-square-foot vacant shopping mall—one of the most ambitious auction logistics operations in American history. The sale grossed millions and attracted worldwide media attention. Over $1.5 million from the auction was donated to St. Bartholomew's Church, the hotel's neighbor, for restoration work. Kaminski has also conducted multiple auctions for Martha Stewart, including The Great American Tag Sale at her Katonah estate—a spectacle that drew thousands of attendees and extensive press coverage. The firm handled the Oprah Winfrey Collection and the estate of Mrs. Henry Ford II, among other high-profile consignments. These marquee events have established Kaminski as the go-to firm for celebrity and institutional estates that require both logistical expertise and the ability to generate maximum public interest. The Asian Art department deserves special mention. With four dedicated Asian art auctions per year, Kaminski has built a loyal following among collectors of Chinese, Japanese, and Southeast Asian art and antiques. The Beverly location's proximity to Boston's established Asian American community and the region's strong network of Asian art collectors and dealers supports robust bidding in this category. For consignors, Kaminski offers complimentary evaluations and a full range of appraisal services for estate, insurance, and tax purposes. The firm's specialists travel extensively to evaluate collections in person, and the company handles the complete logistics of consignment from pickup through sale and settlement. Seller commissions are negotiated on a per-consignment basis, and the firm's ability to generate media attention for significant consignments is a tangible benefit that can drive higher realized prices. Buyers pay a buyer's premium on top of the hammer price, typically in the range of 25 percent for in-house bidders, with a higher rate for bidders using third-party online platforms. Complete terms are published with each auction catalogue. Online bidding is available through Kaminski's proprietary KaminskiLIVE platform (available as a mobile app on iOS and Android) as well as through third-party services including LiveAuctioneers and Invaluable. Absentee and telephone bidding are accepted for all sales. The firm's investment in its own branded bidding technology reflects a forward-looking approach to digital engagement. What makes Kaminski Auctions uniquely compelling is the combination of Frank Kaminski's personal dynamism, an extraordinarily broad range of specialist departments, and a proven ability to handle once-in-a-generation consignments with professionalism and flair. Whether selling a fine antique chair or the entire contents of a legendary hotel, Kaminski brings the same energy, expertise, and showmanship to every sale. Frequently asked questions include what Kaminski sells (antiques, fine art, Asian art, jewelry, couture, cars, rugs, silver, wine, and much more), how fees work (buyer's premium of approximately 25 percent in-house; negotiated seller commissions), how to consign (complimentary evaluation; in-home appointments available), whether online bidding is available (yes, through KaminskiLIVE and third-party platforms), and what makes Kaminski stand out (celebrity estate sales, Waldorf Astoria auction, twenty-plus specialist departments, and four dedicated Asian art sales per year).