Lawsons

Biography

Few auction houses in the world have as rich of a history as Lawsons in Sydney, Australia. Lawsons' story dates back to the 1870s, when founder James R. Lawson Sr. built a reputation as an auctioneer at a time in Sydney's history when everything from basic groceries to fine commodities arrived on ships and was sold in public auction. Thus began a more than 120-year history of successful auctioneering. Founded in 1884, Lawsons remained family-owned until September 2001, when it was acquired by the Menzie Group of Companies. Today, the historic auction house continues to deal in Australian and international art, estate auctions, and single-owner private collections.

A high-volume, thoroughly modern auction house, Lawsons holds general and estate auctions on a weekly basis and live and timed auctions throughout the year, including live online auctions that cater to their broad international audience. In 2014 they offered more than 60 auctions online on Invaluable.com for fine wine and spirits, Chinese and Asian arts, sporting history and memorabilia, fine and antique furniture, and more.

Many fascinating items have passed through Lawsons over the years; for example, the Daily Telegraph reported in 2013 that memorabilia associated with the legendary Harry Houdini that was found in a seller's shed sold at auction for $220,000.

Services & Staff

Lawsons' experienced team of specialists has expertise in a variety of areas, including antique furniture, fine art, decorative arts, jewelry and watches, and books and ephemera. Other areas of expertise include Australiana and militaria, fine wine and spirits, and 20th-Century design and industrial antiques.

Additionally, Lawsons offers auction appraisals for individual items and collections, walk-in appraisals where a prospective seller can get verbal valuations at a set time each week, and home visit appraisals for large collections. Formal appraisals for tax, insurance, and related purposes are also available through Lawsons. Last but not least, Lawsons offers estate services that include estate planning, auction preparation, transport of goods for consignment, and donation of unsellable goods to charitable organizations.

Follow them Online

Lawsons is active on Facebook, where the auction house keeps its followers updated on upcoming sales and notable lots. The Lawsons Facebook page is also periodically updated with news articles that mention the auction house, such as those reporting on prominent estates that go to auction.