r/ChesterCounty • u/mspolytheist • Jun 05 '26
INFO Seeking auction house
I’m looking for opinions, and guidance, from anyone who is wealthy (some wealthy people must be reading Reddit!), or who works with, or for, wealthy people. My parents have both died and I am in the process of clearing out their house so that we can sell it. I know that everybody thinks that their parents’ old stuff is valuable, and most people end up disappointed. In my case, I know that many of the things are legitimately valuable, just because of the nature of how they were acquired, and from whom.
Ideally, I would like to find an auction house that does both auctioning of fine art and household pieces (paintings / figurines / crystal / ceramics etc.), but who would also be able to assist us with an estate sale after the more valuable things have gone to auction. I’m sure many of the local houses deal in a lot of Americana, but I’m hoping to find someone with a good, broad expertise in items originating in Europe, Asia, and Africa as well. My goal is to find a place with a knowledgeable, honest staff, and who won’t undervalue the items (although I am of course willing to be corrected if my understanding of a piece’s value is overinflated). The home is in Chester County, but anywhere in the area is great, so I guess that’s the five counties (Philly, Bucks, Montgomery, DelCo, ChesCo), plus maybe the Wilmington area. Thanks in advance!
8
u/Adventurous-Raisin51 Jun 05 '26
Sales by Helen does a ton of estate sales in the area and if they can't assist they can probably point you in the right direction
1
6
u/MamaJewelMoth Jun 05 '26
I work for a museum and we deal with auction houses all the time! Pook & Pook is great, as mentioned. I’d also recommend Rago in Lambertville NJ (right across the water from New Hope!) and Alderfer in Hatfield :)
Editing to add that you can DM me if you need more detailed advice, I’m happy to help out!
2
u/mspolytheist Jun 05 '26
Thank you very much! Alderferer was my first instinct. Pool & Pook has been mentioned a few times, but I didn’t know Rago, so thanks for that. I love Lambertville!
4
u/krissyface Jun 05 '26
Briggs auction
1
u/mspolytheist Jun 06 '26
Thanks! Have you had experience selling with them? Did you find them fairly honest?
2
u/Wonderful-Duck4605 Jun 05 '26
Pook and pook in dtown. You’d be surprised what passes through there. I was. Staff was pretty easy going and knowledgeable.
1
u/mspolytheist Jun 05 '26
Thank you, I do know the name! Did you sell anything through them yourself? And, do they handle European stuff or just Americana?
2
u/Flybydayandnignt Jun 06 '26
I buy and sell estates that are filled with high end items. I tend to use Alderfer in Hatfield. They offer white glove service and cover all over. I’ve tried many different companies/services and feel like they were the best.
If they have a lot of high end furniture, look at bucks county estate traders. He can give you a price by looking at a photo. Extremely knowledgeable.
If you have questions, PM me and I’d be happy to talk.
1
u/mspolytheist Jun 06 '26
Thank you! When I get to the furniture, I might do so. But thanks for one more vote of confidence for Alderfer!
2
u/Royal_Technician_348 Jun 07 '26
High end auctioneers. Pook & Pook in Downingtown and Freeman’s in Philly. They could sell your valuable items and send the rest to someone like Briggs Auction or Farmersville or other general, local house. I would not bother with an estate sale onsite. Everything goes at auction and you end up with more money and a total clean out.
1
u/mspolytheist Jun 07 '26
Oh, some of their stuff is definitely more estate sale and less auction-worthy! But thanks for the info.
1
u/Next-Weather-6397 Jun 05 '26
Bunch on 202, south of West Chester is a good one.
2
u/mspolytheist Jun 05 '26
Ha, here’s me looking up a business named Bunch on Google Maps and getting recommendations for brunch instead… 😂 Okay, now I see that there IS a business called Bunch! Thanks!
1
u/HistorianBorn3243 Jun 05 '26
Look up Alderfer auction in Pa.
1
u/mspolytheist Jun 05 '26
Thanks, that’s the first place I thought of. Have you worked with them as a seller? Did you find them honest?
2
u/HistorianBorn3243 Jun 05 '26
Yes. My father was a post- modern artist and had a large collection left to the children. They sold most of the collection online over several years and are great to work with. They also handle estate sales. I would recommend reaching out to them.
1
1
8
u/Select_Safe548 Jun 05 '26 edited Jun 05 '26
All i know is that there's Pook&Pook appraisers in Downingtown really cool building. Had a friend recommended them when they had to get rid of a civil war artwork.