Last September, Jeff and Amelia Jeffers, owners of Garth's Auctioneers & Appraisers in Delaware, Ohio, outside Columbus, purchased the name of Ben J. Selkirk & Sons, Inc. Auction Company. Selkirk originally founded in 1830, and the second oldest name among auction houses in the U.S., had lost its stellar reputation.
The Selkirk family, which ran the business for six generations, sold the business to Phillips, a London-based auction house in 1998. Phillips-Selkirk was purchased by Ivey-Selkirk in 2002. In recent years it became apparent to many who had been longtime customers that all was not well. When the Jefferses heard that consignors were not being paid, and employees with years of experience were leaving, they decided to step in to revive the auction tradition and return it to its former status as one of the best in the country.
One of the first things the Ohio couple did was to return Selkirk Auctioneers and Appraisers to the neighborhood. Bruce Selkirk moved the auction house from its long-time home in the 4100 block of Olive Street in Gaslight Square to Clayton. The new owners found a 10,500 s.f. building at 4739 McPherson Avenue owned by interior designer Arlene Lilie who was eager to downsize. Lilie recently moved her business to a storefront on Clayton Road in Ladue.
Temporary signage still fills the showroom windows, as Selkirk awaits new awnings. Step inside however, and the space is filled with interesting consignments awaiting the first auction, which will take place after renovation of the interior is complete at the end of July.
Jeff Jeffers, right, owner of Garth's and Selkirk Auction Houses, is photographed with Shane David Hall, a specialist in fine art & 20th century design. Hall recently (and very happily, he says) moved to the CWE from Columbus, Ohio. Not photographed is staff member, Bryan Laughlin, a specialist in furniture and Asian art. Bryan is also on the board of the Central West End Association.
When I stopped in Selkirk recently to take more photos, Laughlin pointed out a few of many items of interest that will be auctioned at the first event which are shown above and below. A rare 1673 book from a local collector, above, became the Chinoiserie bible of Europe after the Dutch Government commissioned the East India Trading Company to document southern China.
I learned that taxidermy is a hot commodity. The anteater, above, deassessioned from the St. Louis Zoo has attracted A LOT of interest.
There are many stand-out Asian pieces on display, examples are shown above.
A couple of stunning George Jensen bowls, consigned by a local collector, will also be offered in the auction.
One of the side rooms in the auction house contains a collection of Arts & Crafts pieces the staff felt would complement historic houses in the CWE.
Shane Hall said that when he discovered a painting by American Impressionist George Inness, above, in a St. Louis residence, he felt as if he had hit a home run.
The painting above of St. Louis "belle" Eugenia Chouteau, was painted by artist Roberto Bompiani in Rome in 1871. The 5' x 4' painting was commissioned by Chouteau family.
According to Jeff Jeffers, the intent is to operate with "Pillars of integrity, transparency, professionalism and service will be restored in St. Louis…the kind of city that deserves a world-class auction house."
Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers is not affiliated with Ivey-Selkirk, the Selkirk family or the Selkirk family auction house.
The CWE is now home to two auction houses: Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers, and just a few blocks away, Link Auction Galleries, which debuted at 5000 Washington Place at Kingshighway last year.
Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers is currently inviting consignments for a series of upcoming auctions. Visit the gallery Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, call (314) 696-9041.