Online portals

THE Good Web Guide has just published its review of the Antiques Trade Gazette websites, including the-saleroom.com, and given them a five-star rating.

Thought that internet bidding was for low value items only? The five-figure sums tendered online at two country sales last week suggest the received wisdom may need a rethink.

Antique hunters and collectors now have a way to locate fairs, centres, dealers’ shops and private sellers around the UK using a new online Collectables Map that pinpoints different locations.

THE UK’s top dealer associations have struck a deal with retailer John Lewis leading to the launch of an extensive online art and antiques directory aimed at shoppers.

Phillips de Pury & Company are to launch a new website – separate from its core brand – in the hope of capitalising on the growing interest in Contemporary art and modern design.

NEW contracts being rolled out by online art and antiques database Artfact, who took over Invaluable last year, have alarmed a number of auctioneers who have been approached to sign up for their catalogue and online auction services.

SOTHEBY’s are attempting to gain a lead over their competitors in the crucial area of client services by announcing major enhancements to their website. It follows the decision by rivals Christie’s to bring in new online features such as live bidding last year.

A NEW government-backed website is promising to be a one-stop shop to help people buy and sell antiques legally.

Domestic Interiors Database, a free online database charting the history of the domestic interior since 1400 in Western Europe and North America, is now available for study.

SUBSCRIBERS to auction alerts from the-saleroom.com can now get twice the number of searches for their money.

...but Web provider still won’t budge on credit card charges

As part of an on-going makeover, LAPADA havelaunched their newly-designed website. For the first time the UK’s largest association of art and antiques dealers will offer members the opportunity to create their own online gallery within the site.

Book buyers on the internet are likely to face higher prices when the Advanced Book Exchange introduces new charges to booksellers on April 3.

SOTHEBY’S Institute are backing a new web initiative to improve interest and knowledge in art and antiques.

Invaluable, the provider of electronic art market intelligence, say it is business as usual despite news that the company is up for sale.

THE ATG online price guide has notched up more than 500,000 individual prices for items sold at auction.

Responding to requests from auctioneers and site users, the pop-up images on antiquestradegazette.com are now bigger.

THE gap between the French and American art markets has dramatically widened in the past two years.

WHAT should the art world do when the going gets tough? Many in the trade sit back and whine. Others go into battle. Those who do get up from their derrières and practise a little innovation and lots of enthusiasm often do well in the most difficult of periods.

THE High Court has barred the former directors of now-bankrupt Interactive Collector Ltd from serving as directors of any British company for a period of seven years.