Online Growth at Freeman’s Spurs New Website & eBay Relationship
Philadelphia, PA—October 20, 2014—Recognizing the increasing globalization of the art and antiques market, Freeman's has launched two exciting online initiatives to reach collectors: a responsive design website Freemansauction.com with enhanced features; and a new relationship with eBay's live auctions as a premier house, which will introduce 149 million active consumers to Freeman's more than 30 annual auctions.
"Both our website and our collaboration with eBay extends our reach online. In select auctions, up to 70% of clients are bidding via the Internet. The website offers an intuitive user experience to our present clients, while live auctions will provide eBay's high-end collectors and art enthusiasts with the ability to bid in Freeman's auctions," said Thomas B. McCabe IV, vice president business development and web director.
Freeman's has witnessed a shift in how collectors are accessing their website, with mobile devices set to outpace desktops. The new site provides several key features with a focus on ease of navigation across all devices, additional category specialization, and improved searches--all of which are priorities for Freeman's clients. Visitors will find specific artists or makers more readily, larger images, and all associated content throughout the website. In addition, Freeman's has put an emphasis on its world-class organization, offering users more direct access to each art, antiques, or jewelry specialist with a "Meet the Specialists" section on the home page and a "Find a Specialist" function.
"As a boutique auction house, Freeman's prides itself on our specialists and the immense range of their knowledge. We're the only auctioneer outside of New York that holds category specific auctions, and our new site goes a step further with 50 supplementary classifications. Clients can now use any combination of filters, sub categories, or search terms within a catalogue, auction, or the across the entire website to find items in which they're interested--whether it's for 'signed pieces' by Cartier in a Jewelry & Watches auction or searching for Chinese white jade with a Qianlong mark. In addition, our clients also have better access to our seasoned specialists, many of whom left New York auctioneers for a more personalized approach at Freeman's," said Tara Theune Davis, senior vice president of marketing and communications.
Earlier this month, eBay, one of the world's largest online marketplaces launched a live auctions platform that offers its 149 million members a virtual entrance to brick and mortar auction houses and live bidding. Freeman's is one of four auctioneers to join eBay as a premier house, providing a new audience a way to browse and buy premium works of art online. eBay's live auctions have launched in partnership with Invaluable, the market leader in online live auctions for fine art and collectibles.
About Freeman's: As America's oldest auction house, Freeman's has been a constant in the auction world for seven generations. Founded in 1805 by Tristram Bampfylde Freeman, the company's traditions of excellence have benefited many new generations of private collectors, institutions, estates, and museums. Freeman's is headquartered in Philadelphia with regional offices throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. The auction house holds more than 30 annual sales in the following categories: 20th Century Design; American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionists; American Furniture, Folk & Decorative Arts; Asian Arts; Books, Maps & Manuscripts; English & Continental Furniture & Decorative Arts; European Art & Old Masters; Jewelry& Watches; Modern & Contemporary Art; Photographs & Photobooks; and Silver & Objets de Vertu. Freeman's marketing alliance with Scotland's Lyon & Turnbull, Scotland's oldest auction house, has extended Freeman's reach into the European marketplace. Additionally, Freeman's offers Trusts & Estates and Museum Services.For more information, visit: www.freemansauction.com.
