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JUNE 2020-No. 30

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AMERICAN ART & PENNSYLVANIA IMPRESSIONISTS

Always Inviting Consignments

AMERICAN ART & PENNSYLVANIA IMPRESSIONISTS 

DECEMBER 6     2PM EST

Auction Tomorrow

DECEMBER 2020-No. 38

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We are now inviting private previews of American Art  & Pennsylvania Impressionists prior to the auction on December 6.

In accordance with guidelines set forth by the city of Philadelphia and CDC, an appointment is required to view the collection.

Upon scheduling your appointment with our specialist, Rapha?l Chatroux, you will be provided with specific guidelines for the appointment (including, but not limited to, the wearing of a protective face mask).

MAY 2020-No. 28

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INTRODUCING

The Interactive Digital Catalogue

MODERN & CONTEMPORARY ART

NOVEMBER 17     12PM EST

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JUNE 2020-No. 29

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REMINDER: OUR AMERICAN ART & PENNSYLVANIA IMPRESSIONISTS AUCTION HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL JUNE 14

INTRODUCING

The Interactive Digital Catalogue

Freeman's considers selling Fine Art from private & corporate collections to be one of our strongest areas of achievement-as proven by our recent successful auctions. We are always inviting consignments of suitable paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures in the following collecting categories:

Modern & Contemporary Art

American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionists

European Art & Old Masters

NOVEMBER 2020-No. 36

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OCTOBER 2020-No. 34

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THE COLLECTION OF DR. HENRY & MRS. FANNIE LEVINE

OCTOBER 5     12PM EDT

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VARIATIONS ON A THEME:
12 BRONZES OF LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN BY ANTOINE BOURDELLE

OCTOBER 21     10AM EDT

Sale Now Online

SEPT 2020-No. 32

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MODERN & CONTEMPORARY ART

NOVEMBER 17     12PM EST

Sale Now Online

DECEMBER 17, 2020

Dear Valued Clients & Friends,

At the end of their 2020 sale season, Freeman's is delighted to look back on 2020 and the number of company milestones achieved. By establishing a seamless transition from in-person to online-only sales and pivoting towards highly targeted digital marketing campaigns the company has set a high bar this year that they are looking forward to surpassing in 2021.
 
Despite the difficulties resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, consistent results were achieved throughout the year for signature auctions of American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionists, Modern & Contemporary Art; as well as for newly-developed auctions such as the Luxe and Art + Design brands, which target new collectors. 
 

MOVING FROM 1808 CHESTNUT TO 2400 MARKET

In January 2020, after almost 100 years at 1808 Chestnut Street, the auction house moved to a purpose-built gallery and office space in the Aramark Building which overlooks the Schuylkill River. The inaugural auction in this space was the house's February European Art & Old Masters sale, which set the tone for the highly successful year. 

PIVOTING FAST: FROM IN-PERSON TO ONLINE-ONLY AUCTIONS

In March 2020 it became apparent rather quickly that in-person auctions would be impossible to conduct until the pandemic was over. Freeman's was one of the first, and one of the only houses who decided not to cancel or postpone the majority of their sales but instead to pivot to online-only auctions. The house achieved tremendous success as consignors maintained faith in the company despite much uncertainty and turmoil.

Starting March 2020, Freeman's technical team was able to fully transfer to an online-only sales format. One of the first auctions in this format, the house's marquee Design Auction, took place on April 3 and achieved over $1.2M, soaring past its pre-sale high estimate of $883.3K-less than 3 weeks after many businesses in Philadelphia closed their doors for lockdown.

FINE ART SINGLE-OWNER COLLECTIONS CONTINUE AT 100% SELL THROUGH

The following months saw success after success thanks to the new digital-only auction format combined with a completely overhauled marketing strategy which adapted to clients' new requirements in this environment of unknown unknowns. Results were particularly impressive for four single-owner fine art collections this year which achieved a cumulative 100% sell-through rate and a total value of almost $3M.

Competitive bidding across an established national and global network remained consistent through the fall/winter season with back to back white glove auctions for single-owner collections including: The Collection of Dr. Henry & Mrs. Fannie Levine (Total Value for 46 Lots: $948,675); Variations on a Theme: 12 Bronzes of Ludwig van Beethoven by Antoine Bourdelle (Total Value for 12 Lots: $343,473); and Angels Representing Seven Churches: A Rediscovered Set of Windows by Tiffany Studios (Total Value for 1 Lot: $705,000). 

MODERN & CONTEMPORARY AND AMERICAN ART & PENNSYLVANIA IMPRESSIONISTS CONTINUE TO IMPRESS

The fine art sales in particular outperformed expectations with the 58 lot Modern & Contemporary Art auction in May achieving just shy of $1M with a 95% sell-through rate. This was followed by a spectacular result for the signature American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionist auction in June which realized over $2.85M for the 74 lot sale-including an exceptional result for the Pennsylvania Impressionists section which opened with 11 works from The Collection of Heidi Bingham Stott, totaling $1.3M with nearly 82% of the works selling above their pre-sale high estimates.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST: FREEMAN'S BEST FINE ART SALE SINCE 2004 ACHIEVES $5.2M

This season's fine auctions culminated in the December 6 American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionists auction, which realized over $5.2M-the best result for a sale of American Art that Freeman's has ever recorded and the highest selling Fine Art auction at the house since 2004. The highly-curated auction, comprising 114 lots, achieved an impressive 93% sell-through rate overall as well as a 96% sell-through recorded for the Pennsylvania Impressionists section.

We are exceptionally fortunate to have had such a successful year when we recognize that many businesses were and are struggling, including in our city of Philadelphia, which we have been proud to call our home for more than 200 years. Our thoughts and our support goes out to those who continue to suffer from the results of COVID-19, whether in their personal or professional lives. We are incredibly grateful to our entire team at Freeman's for ensuring that we were able to deliver on what we promised to our consignors and we are thankful to our consignors for their continued trust in our ability to successfully sell their art. 

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday, 

Alasdair Nichol
Chairman

OCTOBER 2020-No. 35

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VARIATIONS ON A THEME:
12 BRONZES OF LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN BY ANTOINE BOURDELLE

OCTOBER 21     10AM EDT

Auction Tomorrow

COLLECT: AMERICANA FEATURING THE ARTIST''S STUDIO: STERLING STRAUSER  

NOVEMBER 13     10AM EST

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FEATURING DAVID WEISS & VIRGINIA SALEM 

NOVEMBER 9     8/7C