Swann Galleries
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Auction house |
| Founded | 1941 |
| Founder | Benjamin Swann |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Key people | Nicholas Lowry (current leader) |
| Products | Rare and antique works on paper, including books, autographs, manuscripts, maps, atlases, photographs, prints, drawings, vintage posters, illustration art, African-American fine art |
Swann Galleries is a New York City-based auction house established in 1941. Recognized as the longest-running specialist auction house in New York, it focuses on the sale of rare and antique works on paper.
The firm maintains dedicated departments for various categories, including books, autographs and manuscripts, maps and atlases, photographs and photographic literature, prints and drawings, vintage posters, illustration art, and African-American fine art. Additionally, Swann hosts annual auctions featuring printed and manuscript African Americana. Overall, the company organizes more than 35 live auctions annually with detailed catalogues.
History
The family-owned enterprise was founded by book dealer Benjamin Swann in 1941. In 1970, ownership transferred to George Lowry, and today the company is led by Nicholas Lowry, representing the third generation of leadership.
For over three decades, Swann has operated from its location on East 25th Street, situated just one block east of Madison Square Park at the intersection of the historic Murray Hill, Gramercy Park, and Flatiron districts.
Affiliations
Swann is a founding participant of International Auctioneers (IA), an alliance created in 1993 by prominent independent auction houses worldwide. Present European members include firms based in Stockholm, Cologne, Milan, Paris, Zurich, Geneva, and Vienna.
Uniquely among auction houses, Swann holds membership in the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA), which advocates for ethical standards within rare book trading.
Several Swann specialists contribute their knowledge to PBS’s Antiques Roadshow, where they appraise antiques and collectibles in search of valuable discoveries.
References
External links
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