Commissions

Auction Commissions
True to the tradition of our founder, we remain one of the world’s leading buyers at auction, and are in constant touch with all the major auction houses. In addition to buying for our own stock, we bid on our clients’ behalf: our service includes viewing books before the sale, advising clients on appropriate bids, handling execution of bids and collating books after purchase. Where we are familiar with customers’ interests we will notify them of forthcoming sales containing material for which they may wish to bid. In general terms our function may be described as the protection of our client’s interest, both as to the quality of the object offered and the price to be paid.

A wood engraving of a typical book auction at Sotheby’s in the late nineteenth century, with Bernard Quaritch seated immediately below the auctioneer’s rostrum. (Quaritch archive)