Stair Galleries

Stair Galleries, operating simply as STAIR, is one of the most respected regional auction houses in the United States, known for its expertise in English, Continental, and American fine and decorative arts spanning four centuries. Located in the charming antiques destination of Hudson, New York, in the scenic Hudson Valley, Stair has built a loyal following among collectors, dealers, interior designers, and institutions who appreciate its carefully curated sales, transparent cataloguing, and consistently strong results. The firm was founded in 2001 by Colin Stair, who brought to the venture deep roots in the auction and decorative arts world. Colin's father, John Stair, had served as Managing Director and Vice President of Sotheby's Restoration, eventually moving much of that operation from Manhattan to nearby Claverack, New York. Colin worked under John at Sotheby's Restoration and also spent time cataloguing furniture at Sotheby's in England, absorbing the expertise and professional standards of one of the world's great auction houses. When he launched his own firm, Colin partnered with Rebecca Hoffmann, a Fine Arts Specialist and gifted auctioneer, and together they built STAIR into a nationally recognized destination for quality consignments. The firm's early years were marked by rapid growth. As business expanded, Stair Galleries relocated to a twenty-five-thousand-square-foot building on Warren Street in Hudson—the heart of the town's celebrated antiques district. The spacious facility provides ample room for previewing large sales, with well-lit galleries that allow buyers to examine furniture, paintings, and decorative objects in a professional setting. STAIR's core expertise lies in fine and decorative arts from the seventeenth through the twentieth centuries. Regular sales feature English furniture from the Georgian, Regency, and Victorian periods; Continental furniture including French, Italian, and Scandinavian pieces; and American furniture from the Colonial, Federal, and Arts and Crafts eras. The firm also handles fine art including Old Master and nineteenth-century European paintings, American paintings, prints, and works on paper. Additional categories include jewelry, Asian and ethnographic art, ceramics and porcelain, silver, rugs, garden ornaments, and twentieth-century design. The firm's Hudson Valley location is itself a significant advantage. The region is home to a dense concentration of country estates, many of which have been in families for generations and contain accumulated collections of furniture, paintings, silver, and decorative objects. STAIR has become the natural first call for estate executors, attorneys, and families in the area, and the firm's deep knowledge of regional collecting tastes and patterns allows it to market these properties effectively to both local and national buyers. STAIR also attracts consignments from well beyond the Hudson Valley, including from New York City collectors and institutions who appreciate the firm's expertise and results. The auction house has handled deaccessioning projects for museums and historical societies, as well as major private collections from across the Northeast. For consignors, the process is straightforward. Prospective sellers can contact the firm through its website, by phone, or by visiting the gallery. STAIR's specialists provide complimentary evaluations and auction estimates, and the firm offers pickup and transportation services for large consignments. Seller commissions are negotiated on a case-by-case basis, with terms that are competitive for the regional market. The firm's smaller scale relative to the major New York houses means that consignors often receive more personalized attention and flexible terms. Buyers pay a buyer's premium on top of the hammer price. The rate is typically in the range of 25 percent, with full details published in each sale's terms and conditions. All lots are available for in-person preview at the Hudson gallery, and online catalogues feature detailed descriptions and high-resolution photography. Condition reports are provided upon request. Online bidding is fully supported through STAIR's own platform as well as through third-party services including Invaluable, LiveAuctioneers, and Bidsquare. The firm conducts a mix of live and online-only sales throughout the year. Absentee and telephone bidding are available for all catalogued auctions. What distinguishes STAIR from many competitors is the Sotheby's pedigree of its founding team, the quality of its cataloguing and presentation, and its location in one of America's most vibrant antiques communities. The firm occupies a sweet spot in the market: large enough to handle significant estates and individual consignments of real importance, yet small enough to provide the personal attention and curatorial care that make each sale feel thoughtfully assembled rather than merely processed. Frequently asked questions include what STAIR sells (English, Continental, and American furniture and decorative arts, fine art, jewelry, Asian art, rugs, and more), how fees work (buyer's premium of approximately 25 percent; negotiated seller commissions), how to consign (contact the firm for a complimentary evaluation), whether online bidding is available (yes, on every sale), and what makes STAIR stand out (Sotheby's-trained founders, a prime Hudson Valley location, and a reputation for carefully curated sales).