Schwenke Auctioneers

Biography

About Woodbury Auction

Woodbury Auction LLC is the auction services division of Thomas Schwenke, Inc., located in the historic town of Woodbury, Connecticut, nationally known in the antiques community as “The Antiques Capital of Connecticut”. Woodbury is convenient to all principal east coast cities, is home to several dozen fine antique shops, and boasts several first class restaurants, inns and spas, all nestled in the scenic general area called the “Litchfield Hills”.

We endeavor to provide the ultimate in personal service for both buyers and sellers, while maximizing property values for our consignors and offering superior advisory assistance to our purchasers. We believe that the process of buying antiques and fine art at auction should be fair, fun and financially sound for all concerned. Our professional advisory board and specialist dealer network offer evaluative support which is outstanding in the industry. Our founder and president, Tom Schwenke, has over forty years of “hands-on” experience in all aspects of buying and selling antiques and fine and decorative arts. Our consulting auctioneer, Sarah Shinn Pratt, has over 30 years experience in fine arts appraising and auctioneering, and has been a frequent appraiser on the well-known PBS Antiques Roadshow since 2000.

We offer full service appraisals, first class trucking and portage services, “broom clean” estate liquidations, and fully researched and documented catalog presentation for up to four annual “Catalog Auctions” of antiques and fine arts. We also schedule “Opportunity Auctions” as needed for dispersal of general estate items. We offer storage and handling at competitive rates.

Our unique position as an affiliate of Thomas Schwenke, Inc. enables us to offer consignors a hybrid “double barreled” selling platform designed to achieve the best possible sales results for selected quality items. Under appropriate agreement, we will initially offer items for sale in a gallery presentation under consignment terms with specified prices. Subsequently, any unsold items are transferred to our auction platform for effective final sale. This approach offers property owners some measure of price control during the initial consignment term, but enables closure through ultimate auction sale when time becomes critical.

We work with estate attorneys, financial planners, mortgage brokers, commercial bankers, real estate brokers and personal property appraisers to achieve the maximum financial return within the minimum time frame, all with understanding, fairness and professionalism.

We look forward to serving you soon.