We are delighted to be sponsoring ATG’s annual ‘rare books’ supplement. As the market’s leading weekly journal, ATG has an excellent tradition of covering the rare books market with its perceptive and all-encompassing reports.
Many readers will already be aware of Forum Auctions, notwithstanding our youth as a company. We field a 15-strong team of specialists, including colleagues in Rome and North America, with literally centuries of collective experience and knowledge across the myriad of both antiquarian and 20th century books and works on paper genres.
‘We, of course, appreciate that we are not reinventing the wheel – just trying to make it smoother for an improved driver experience!’ Stephan Ludwig, CEO and Founder
Forum was launched with commitment to innovation and transparency in the auction market, led by exceptional client service. We hold a busy calendar of ‘traditional’ catalogued sales hosted by The Westbury Hotel, which is located in the heart of London’s Mayfair, home to international galleries and auction houses.
These flagship events are complemented by a fortnightly roster of timed online-only auctions, leading market ‘best practice’ in both transparency and user-friendliness. For those readers who have not yet participated in these sales you will find a healthy number of ‘no reserve’ lots with bidding starting at £5. For vendors, our user-friendly service is punctuated with a reduced 21-day pay-out for all consignments.
We are delighted to report that sales in the six months to December 2016 produced a remarkable premium-inclusive £6m including two ‘white glove’ results: in October 2016 40 lots of Banksy prints sold for over £650,000 with 18 world records; in February this year, 100 books from Franklin Brooke-Hitching’s superlative travel library all found buyers in an exclusively online timed sale.
‘Record results in our first sales, competitive vendor terms, buyer financing and 21-day pay-outs have mitigated the daunting challenge of entering the very competitive Editions market.’ Alexander Hayter, International Head of Modern & Contemporary Art
An emphasis on innovation continually produces new initiatives; in partnership with online lender Unbolted.com, buyers can access interest-free finance at 85% of hammer price; likewise, a vendor-advance facility at up to 50% of low estimate. Indeed, a bemused client observed that by taking advantage of both facilities a trade buyer need never actually pay for anything purchased from us.
In a short time, Forum has established itself as a player on the world rare books and editions stage. By utilising our high-quality web illustrations, detailed condition reporting, web-based payment portal supported by responsive packing and delivery facilitation, buyers need never leave the comfort of their premises when buying from us!
‘Our platform was designed to be easily scalable and as the business matures we are actively exploring new markets and welcoming fresh talent.’ Poppy Walker, Head of Operations and Business Development
We respect that collectors in our markets have any number of alternatives to auctions when buying works and we encourage you all to go to fairs, to read dealers’ catalogues, to search online, to visit rare bookshops… and we, of course, welcome you to join our growing community: Forum Auctions, Where collectors meet.
Rupert Powell
Deputy Chairman and International Head of Books
