Whyte's

About Whyte's

Whyte's is a Dublin auction house that specialises in Irish art and collectibles. It describes itself as having more than two centuries of family business in Dublin. Its offices and galleries are at 38 Molesworth Street, near St. Stephen's Green, Trinity College and Grafton Street.

Whyte's holds eight to ten sales a year. Most of what it sells comes from private collections and estates. It is licensed to hold auctions by the Property Services Regulatory Authority of Ireland under licence number 001759.

History

Whyte's is a family business. Ian Whyte started out in collectibles part-time while still at school in 1967 and got his first auctioneer's licence in 1975. In 2021 he retired and sold his stake back to the company. Marianne Whyte became managing director and Peter Whyte became head of art.

The firm's premises are part of what Whyte's calls the last intact terrace of Georgian shopfronts in Dublin. Whyte's has also set major records for Irish art. On 25 November 2019 Jack B. Yeats's Reverie (1931), from the Ernie O'Malley Collection, sold for a hammer price of €1.4 million. This was reported as a world record for the artist.

What Whyte's sells

Whyte's sells Irish and international art alongside a wide range of collectibles. Its art sales cover paintings, drawings and sculpture. Its collectibles sales cover history, literature, coins, medals and memorabilia.

• Irish and international paintings, drawings and sculpture
• Historical documents, literature and antiquarian books
• Coins and banknotes
• Medals and militaria
• Memorabilia and other collectibles

The Whyte's website has an artist archive with more than 15 years of auction results. Buyers and sellers can use it to check past prices before a sale.

Selling at Whyte's

Whyte's offers valuations to people thinking of selling. Most lots come from private collections and estates. Whyte's plans each sale around a theme, so you can ask which upcoming art or collectibles sale suits your items.

Whyte's does not publish its seller's commission in its general terms of sale. Ask for the rate when you arrange a consignment. It is agreed for each consignment.

Before you consign, you can search the artist archive on the Whyte's website for past results for the same artist. This gives a realistic idea of what a similar work has made at Whyte's over the last 15 years or more.

Buying and bidding

Whyte's charges a buyer's premium on top of the hammer price. The rate depends on the type of sale:

• Art sales: 20% of the hammer price, plus VAT on the premium
• Collectibles sales: 24% of the hammer price, plus VAT on the premium

Every auction has a full online catalogue, and you can bid live on Whyte's own bidding site. You must pay in full before your lots are released. Buyers are expected to collect within one day of the sale, or storage and insurance charges apply.

As an example, a painting knocked down for €10,000 at an art sale carries a premium of €2,000, and VAT is then added to that €2,000. The same hammer price at a collectibles sale carries a premium of €2,400 plus VAT. The terms of sale are governed by Irish law, and disputes go to the Irish courts.

Location and viewing

Lots are viewed at the Whyte's galleries at 38 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2. Whyte's main art sales have been held at the Royal Dublin Society in Ballsbridge, and its history and collectibles sales have been held across the street at Freemasons' Hall.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the buyer's premium at Whyte's?

Whyte's charges 20% of the hammer price at art sales and 24% at collectibles sales. VAT is added to the premium at the current rate.

How often does Whyte's hold auctions?

Whyte's holds eight to ten sales a year, covering Irish art and a range of collectibles. The lots come mainly from private collections and estates.

What is Whyte's best-known sale?

In November 2019 Whyte's sold Jack B. Yeats's Reverie for a hammer price of €1.4 million. This was reported as a world record for the artist.