Online portals

The former boss of Online Galleries and 1stdibs International plans a ‘private members club’ marketplace for antiques dealers.

Buying direct from a dealer’s site is fine when you know what you want and who to buy it from. But readers who have enjoyed browsing our recent selections of dealers’ objects have asked us for a list of dealer portals.

MADAM – I was surprised by your editorial on 1stdibs last week and what it implies (News, ATG No 2419).

A new website founded by two dealers aims to offer a “user-friendly” hub for buying and selling art and antiques.

Antiques and luxury items platform 1stdibs is increasing its monthly subscription fee to dealers by 42%, from £350 to £500. The firm says the move reflects the increasing cost of maintaining the online portal.

A mass boycott by more than 580 book dealers across 27 countries has forced AbeBooks to U-turn on its planned withdrawal from four countries.

The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association (ABA) has scrapped its sponsorship deal with Amazon-owned AbeBooks after the online book portal chose to quit selling in four countries.

MADAM – I wanted to add to the discussion (ATG No 2344) on the recent fee increase by Online Galleries (Anthony Bernbaum of The Peartree Collection writes).

UK antiques portal Online Galleries has significantly increased subscription costs, causing many dealers to complain of steep price rises.

The British Antique Dealers’ Association is hoping its new website, which launches this week ahead of the BADA 2018 fair (March 14-20), will propel dealer members and their stock to the top of internet search rankings when buyers are looking for antique objects from dealers.

Auction Technology Group (ATG) – owner of Antiques Trade Gazette and thesaleroom. com – has merged with German art and antiques portal Lot-tissimo.com.