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How to Buy at Bonhams & Butterfields
There are a few important things to know about buying at auction before you begin. You should also read the Buyer's Guide located in the catalog for sale-specific information.
Our auctions are free and open to the general public. Watching an auction live from one of our galleries is a great way to become familiar with the auction process. We invite to you attend one of our upcoming auctions. If you have any questions about the auction process, please feel free to ask one of our staff members for guidance.
Before the Sale
Specialists
Here at Bonhams & Butterfields, the greatest resource for information about the quality and character of property is also yours: our team of specialists. Our specialists, many of whom possess the highest degree in their respective fields, appraise, catalog and sell thousands of objects in any given year. This experience provides the foundation to determine appropriate auction estimates, venue and timing for the sale of any particular object. Specialists know the current market, and they can guide you through the quantity of objects that we offer to help you decide on which objects to bid. Many of our specialists are members of appraisal organizations and they adhere to industry-wide standards for cataloging and appraisals.
Catalogs
Before each auction we publish illustrated catalogs. Our catalogs provide descriptions and estimated values for each lot. A lot may refer to a single item or to a group of items auctioned together. The catalogs also include the dates and the times for the previews and auctions. We offer our catalogs by subscription or by single copy. For information on subscribing to our catalogs, please visit our catalog subscriptions page.
Online versions of our catalogs are available on our website generally three to four weeks prior to the auction.
You may purchase a catalog before each auction or sign up for a one-year subscription and have a copy automatically delivered along with the prices realized from the last sale. You may also sign up to be on our mailing list, and we will provide you with information on your select areas of collecting via email and alert you when the catalog is placed online.
For our traditional auctions, called Fine Sales, we create beautiful archive-quality catalogs that provide images and full descriptions for each lot. These illustrated print catalogs are prepared for every Fine Sale, and are mailed to hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of past and potential buyers with a history of collecting in the relevant categories. These catalogs are scholarly and beautifully illustrated, and many experience a second life as important art-world reference tools. Descriptions in our fine catalogs include information about provenance, size, condition, the artist or specific work if available, and value estimates.
Our monthly Sunset and SoMa Estate Auctions produce catalogs with a brief description of each item and limited photographs of the property. Our Sunset and SoMa Estate catalogs are available for purchase at each of our galleries generally one week before the auction. Online versions of our Sunset and SoMa Estate Auction catalogs are generally available on the website a few weeks before the auction, and we include one photograph of each item along with its description.
The estimates in the catalogs are provided as an approximate guide to current market value, and should not be interpreted as a representation or prediction of actual selling prices. This estimate, expressed in a low/high range of dollar amounts, is reached after the specialist compares prices realized for similar items in recent auctions and other sales venues. Other factors that guide the setting of estimates include the condition, rarity, provenance and market potential of the item. They are determined well in advance of a sale and are subject to revision. Please contact us should you have any questions about value estimates.
All lots in a catalog are subject to a "reserve", unless otherwise indicated. The reserve is the minimum price that the seller is willing to accept for a lot. This amount is confidential and does not exceed the low estimate.
Unless specifically illustrated and noted, fine art frames are not included in the lot estimate or hammer amount. Bonhams & Butterfields accepts no liability for damage to frames during storage or shipment.
Previews
Auction previews are generally held in the days leading up to an auction. All items listed in the catalog and to be sold on the auction day will be on display. The Preview allows you to examine each item closely and to talk to the specialist regarding provenance and condition. Condition reports are available upon request and we recommend that you review the condition reports as well as the items you are intending to bid on. All lots are sold “as-is” and with faults; illustrations in our catalogs, website and other materials are provided for identification only. At the previews, our staff are available to answer your questions and guide your through the auction process.
For Preview dates and times relating to each auction, contact client services or go to the website and click on the auction title of your interest.
The Sale and Bidding
At Bonhams & Butterfields, you can bid in many ways: in person, via absentee bid, or over the phone. Absentee bids can be submitted in person, online, via fax or email.
Valid client accounts are required to participate in bidding activity. You can obtain registration information online, at the reception desk or by calling our Client Services Department. By bidding at auction, whether in person or by agent, by absentee bid, telephone or other means, the buyer or bidder agrees to be bound by the Conditions of Sale.
We assume no responsibility for failure to execute bids for any reason whatsoever. Please see the Conditions of Sale for more information.
Bidding in Person
Our auctions are free and open to the general public. If you would like to bid, you will be asked to fill out a registration form (details including name, photo ID & address will be collected) and you will be given a bidder paddle. If you are planning to bid at auction for the first time, you will need to provide bank or credit card information to register for our auctions. For most lots, an image of each lot will appear on several television screens in the auction room while it is being sold. Be sure to familiarize yourself with our bidding increments so that you know what the next bid will be.
To place a bid, hold up your card so that the auctioneer can clearly see it. Decide on the maximum amount that you wish to pay, exclusive of buyer's premium and tax, and continue bidding until your bid prevails or you reach your limit. If you are the successful bidder on a lot, the auctioneer will acknowledge your paddle number and bid amount.
Absentee Bidding
As a service to those wishing to place bids, we may at our discretion accept bids without charge in advance of sale by facsimile or in writing on bidding forms available from us. "Buy" bids will not be accepted; all bids must state the highest bid price the bidder is willing to pay. Our auction staff will try to bid just as you would, with the goal of obtaining the item at the lowest bid price possible. In the event identical bids are submitted, the earliest bid submitted will take precedence. Absentee bids shall be executed in competition with other absentee bids, any applicable reserve, and bids from other auction participants. A friend or agent may place bids on your behalf, provided that we have received your written authorization prior to the sale. Absentee bid forms are available in your catalog, you may download and print a version of absentee bidder form to place an absentee bid online or pick up a form from one of our galleries.
Please send the completed form to:
Bonhams & Butterfields Auctioneers
Attn: Client Relations Department
220 San Bruno Ave
San Francisco CA 94103
Or fax to (415) 861-8951
Internet Bidding
All Bonhams & Butterfields auctions are available for online absentee
bidding using the online catalog. This enables web users to place and
update their bids online from anywhere in the world. You can access
this from the lot pages and via the Your Account section of our
website. Please note that online bidding is not live and closes 24
hours prior to the start of the auction.
Registration for upcoming Events and Online Absentee Bidding
Online absentee bidding is available for all auctions via our online catalog or through “Your account” from anywhere within our website. Wherever you are in the world our website provides an easy and efficient way of tracking specific lots in an auction. Thus you can be notified of the auction hammer price by e-mail while the auction is in progress. It also allows you the flexibility at any time of the day or night to place bids on items of your choice. You can make changes up to 24 hours prior to the auction on your bid amount(s) or lot number(s), both fast and easy to do. You will receive an email notification of each entry or change that you make. If you do not receive an email, please contact us at info.us@bonhams.com.
If you have attended an auction or placed telephone bids with any Bonhams office worldwide, then you may already have an existing account. Contact us so that we can ensure your details are up to date, and provide you with your unique client account number and user name.
New Registrations
If you have never registered with Bonhams before and would like to create a personal account please complete our online registration form and you will start receiving information immediately. You can receive email notification about upcoming auctions and events of your choice. Our auction schedule is printed every 4 months. If you would like to receive a copy though the mail just select the option from our Interests list in the registration screen. You can also buy catalogs for all our auctions, which provide a great reference as well extensive descriptions and information about each auction
If you would like to create an account for online Absentee Bidding, more information will be required to approve your account for bidding purposes. To bid in an upcoming auction within the next 7 days – contact us so that we can fast track you through the process. All requests can be processed through either the USA client services department at USA bids,
Or the European client services department at bids.
Phone Bidding
Phone bidding is available for all of our auctions, however on
certain auctions for lots with a low estimate of less than $500 we may
not be able to accept phone bids , absentee bids will be accepted.
Please contact client services for more information .
On the day of the auction a Bonhams & Butterfields employee will call
you from the auction room several
minutes before the item you are interested in. The
representative will talk you through the auction and ask you when and
at what increments you would like to bid. Ideally all phone bid requests
should be submitted at least 24 hours prior to the auction start time
so that we can schedule staff accordingly and not disappoint you. Phone
bidding is very popular and because of this we ask that you be willing
to bid up to the low estimate of an item.
Arranging a phone bid is quick and easy, just complete our
registration form and submit to our team of client service
representatives. If this is your first time bidding with Bonhams &
Butterfields in any location or if you have not bid with us for 2-3
years then we may need to ask you for proof of address as well as
Credit/debit card verification. Our Client Services representative can
assist you with any questions.
The registration form can be found at the back of the auction catalogs,
in our galleries worldwide, or you can click here to
download and print. If you would like us to fax a copy to you, contact
us on:
San Francisco: +1 415 861 7500
Los ANgeles +1 323 850 7500
New York +1 212 644 9001
London +44 207 447 7447
Buyers' Premium
Bonhams & Butterfields does not own the property that we sell at auction; instead we host an auction as a venue to bring buyers and sellers together. Our sellers are called consignors and we take possession of their property several months before the auction. We use this time to research, catalog, photograph and market the items before they go on the block. When an object is sold, Bonhams & Butterfields receives a percentage of the hammer price, that we call seller's commission, plus certain fees as our payment from the consignor for our services.
We also collect a percentage of the hammer price from the buyer that we call Buyer's Premium. The Buyer's Premium is added to the winning bid (Hammer) price of each individual lot purchased, at the rates set forth in the Conditions of Sale. The winning bid price plus the premium constitute the purchase price for the lot. Applicable sales taxes are computed based on this figure, and the total becomes your final purchase price.
All sales are final and subject to the Conditions of Sale found in your catalog, on our website, and available at the reception desk.
Effective January 2009, our Buyer's Premium rates for most types of auctions are as follows:
- 22% of the Hammer up to and including $100,000.00
- 20% of the Hammer above $100,000.00, up to and including $500,000.00
- 12% of any Hammer above $500,000.00
Our Buyer's Premium rates for Motor Car auctions are:
- 17% of the Hammer up to and including $100,000.00
- 10% of the Hammer above $100,000.00
Our Buyer's Premium rates for Wine auctions are:
Our Buyer's Premium rates for Arms & Armor auctions are:
- 17% of the Hammer up to and including $100,000.00
- 10% of the Hammer above $100,000.00
Our Buyer's Premium rates for Coin & Banknote auctions are:
- 17% of the Hammer up to and including $100,000.00
- 15% of the Hammer above $100,000.00
Since 2006 we have offered buyers a Cash Discount Program, whereby the stated rate of the primary band of Buyer's Premium, applicable to the first $100,000 of the bid price, will be reduced by two percentage points for buyers who pay for their entire purchases from the sale in cash or by cash equivalent (as defined) and pay on a timely basis.
Please refer to the Conditions of Sale and Buyer's Guide in your auction
catalog for details.
Items left on the premises after the auction may incur storage and other fees. Please see the individual sale catalog for additional information specific to the sale.
Post Sale Payment
All buyers are asked to pay and pick up by 3 PM the business day
following the auction. Payment may be made to Bonhams & Butterfields by
cash, checks drawn on a U.S. bank with approved credit, cashier's check
or money order, wire transfer or other immediate bank transfer, or Visa,
MasterCard or American Express credit or debit cards. Items must be paid
for within 5 business days of the sale or as otherwise stated in the
sale catalog. Please note that payment made by personal or business
check may result in property not being released until purchase funds
clear our bank.
Shipping & Removal
All items marked with a W in the catalog, not removed by 3 PM the day following the sale will be transferred to the warehouse of Box Brothers. However if buyers of W lots also buy other lots, such as decorations, rugs, works of art, these lots will also be removed to the warehouse of Box Brothers, so all lots remain together and customers can collect or ship from one location. All other items will remain at Bonhams & Butterfields for a period of 21 days, after which time they may be transferred to offsite storage:
Please note that all lots listed at the beginning of our printed catalog, if not removed immediately
after the sale, will be transferred to a nearby storage facility. For the convenience of the successful
bidder of one or more of these lots, all purchased lots will be transferred to our offsite storage
together. Please read the Conditions of Sale regarding the removal of sold lots.
Bonhams & Butterfields' storage and logistics partner is Box Brothers, a well-known organization
that specializes in crating, packaging and shipping.
Our storage and logistics partnership provides several beneficial services. The first being
5 days of free storage.
- All items listed at the beginning of our printed catalog, along with all other items
purchased, if not removed immediately after the sale, will be transferred to Box Brothers
warehouse. With an appointment made 24 hours in advance, clients can pick up their
property at 2321 Filbert Street in Oakland or at 925 West Hyde Park Boulevard in
Inglewood.
- Clients will have 5 days of free storage to retrieve their property or make arrangements
with Box Brothers to pack and ship their property. Storage fees will begin to accrue on
the 6th day of storage. Uplift charges for packing and transport from our gallery to Box Brothers will be charged by Box Brothers.
- Retrieval from the offsite warehouse is by appointment only. Clients must call 24 hours
in advance. Clients can utilize the delivery services offered by Box Brothers or clients may
make their own arrangements. Please call +1 (800) 474-7447.
- Box Brothers is available to ship internationally. They offer importing and exporting
services. Clients can select either airfreight or ocean cargo delivery options, which range
from door-to-port, door-to-airport with door-to-door service also available. Clients can
ship one item, co-load or container load at a discounted rate through Box Brothers.
Please call +1 (800) 474-7447 for more information.
- All purchases not designated for offsite storage will remain onsite at Bonhams &
Butterfields for a period of 21 days beginning the date of the auction. During this 21
day period, clients may remove such property themselves, make arrangements with
the Bonhams & Butterfields packaging and shipping department or provide their own
shipper for removal of all property. If a client does not retrieve his/her property or finalize
shipping arrangements within 21 days, the purchases will be removed to the offsite
storage facility of Box Brothers. Again, uplift charges for packing and transport from our gallery to Box Brothers will be charged by Box Brothers.
- Payment of the hammer price, premium and any applicable sales taxes must be made
directly to Bonhams & Butterfields prior to the release of property. Any removal, storage
or other fees due to Box Brothers should be made directly to Box Brothers.
- Change of shipping address must be authorized by Bonhams & Butterfields Revenue Manager before Box Brothers will be permitted to re-route your purchases.
Bonhams & Butterfields can accommodate shipping for certain items. Please contact our Client Services Department for more information or to obtain a quote or referral. Refer to the Conditions of Sale and the individual sale catalog for terms and restrictions governing the shipment of Arms and Wine. Shipments are made during weekday business hours up to four weeks after payment is received. Carriers are not permitted to deliver to P.O. Boxes. International buyers are responsible for all import/export customs duties and taxes. An invoice stating the actual purchase price(s) will accompany all international purchases.
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Contacts |
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San Francisco
Main Gallery & Corporate Offices
Bonhams & Butterfields
220 San Bruno Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94103
Tel +1 (415) 861-7500
Fax +1 (415) 861-8951
Los Angeles
Main Gallery
Bonhams & Butterfields
7601 W. Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Tel +1 (323) 850-7500
Fax +1 (323) 850-5843
New York
Bonhams
580 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Tel +1 (212) 644 9001
Fax +1 (212) 644 9009
Inquiries
(US) Client Services
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