Swann Auction Galleries
About
Swann Galleries was founded in 1941 as an auction house specializing in Rare Books. Today Swann has separate departments devoted to Photographs, Posters and Prints & Drawings, in addition to Books, Maps & Atlases and Autographs.
As a member of International Auctioneers, an alliance of prestigious auction houses, our sales are publicized to auction clients around the world.
Swann is the ideal venue for buying and selling.
We invite everyone — public and private institutions, dealers, collectors and would-be collectors — to contact us. You will be pleased by the friendliness and knowledge of our specialists, and the breadth and quality of material we offer.
History
Swann Galleries was founded in New York in 1941 by antiquarian book dealer Benjamin Swann as an auction house specializing in rare and antiquarian books. George Lowry acquired the business and became president in 1970 upon Mr. Swann`s retirement.
At that time, a staff of four organized and conducted book auctions for a customer-base composed mainly of dealers. As the auction world opened to the general public, separate departments were established for different fields of collecting: first photographs, then autographs, and in the late 1980s-early 90s, prints and drawings and vintage posters. Swann is now a world leader in the auction market for works of art on paper.
Nicholas Lowry joined Swann in 1995 as head of the Poster department. He was named Principal Auctioneer in 1998 and Vice-President in 2000. In January 2001, he assumed the title of President and took over day-to-day management of the company, which now has a staff of 30; George Lowry stepped up to the new title of Chairman.
For over 25 years, Swann has been located on East 25th Street, just one block east of Madison Square Park, adjacent to the historic Murray Hill, Gramercy Park, and Flatiron districts, and right across town from Chelsea. The premises doubled in size in 1999 with the addition of a second gallery and salesroom.
Upcoming Auctions from Swann Auction Galleries
Focus on Women
This specialized sale features books, prints, original art, photographs, ephemera, archives, and more produced by women from the 16th century through the 21st. Bidders can trace the development of women’s letters through the 18th and 19th century with works by Mary Wollstonecraft, Anne Radcliffe, Jane Austen, Charlotte & Emily Bronte, George Eliot, Margaret Fuller, and more. A section emphasizing Black women’s contributions to art, social issues and letters, including original material from Maya Angelou, Sarah Bradford’s biography of Harriet Tubman, and works by Elizabeth Catlett and Bettye Saar. Our top lot is a special set of more than 100 original photographs used in Ericka Huggins’s 2022 book, Comrade Sisters: Women of the Black Panther Party, each signed by photographer Stephen Shames.Fine Photographs
Our May 16 auction is headlined by two iconic female photographers, Dorothea Lange and Cindy Sherman. Innovators, trailblazers, and unmatched in their vision, both photographers challenge the viewer to reconsider their perspective and employ a powerful narrative voice throughout their imagery. Both works included in this auction?Migrant Mother, Nipomo, California, 1936, and Untitled Film Still #52, 1979?are iconic examples of these photographers? work.Bidder Reviews for Swann Auction Galleries (60)
4.3 out of 5.0 Stars
8 Latest Top ReviewsSee All
PaulFountain Valley, CA
Nov 12, 2023
LynnNew York, NY
Nov 09, 2023
Superior
I have done business with Swnn several times over the past two decades. Always knowledgeable, always top tier, always satisfied.
DonetMedley, FL
Aug 13, 2023
WendyNew York, NY
Jun 10, 2023
They were so kind to me, very elegant and professional with spectacular inventory
This experience was blissfully easy. They went out of way to help me. They held my item at location, wrapped it perfectly and it was exactly as depicted. Everyone in business is aware how top flight this auction house is.
SebastianBerlin, DE
Mar 03, 2023
Reliable & fast
One of the (not so many) auction houses that offer in-house shipping plus this also for a fair price. That also spared me time to look for a third party to organize pick up, packing and shipping. All questions I had in advance concerning the item were answered quickly and correctly. The handling and shipping was fast and careful. The communication transparent and friendly. A great and pleasant experience.
SuzanneEagle River, WI
Aug 18, 2022
FABULOUS piece
Just giddy that I finally own one of Nancy Koenigsberg pieces. Great buying experience with this auction house. I even got an email from the artist herself. She likes to keep track of where her art is located. Could not be more happy. Highly recommended!
DanielNew York, NY
Jun 09, 2022
Flawless experience
Very accurate description. immediate reply re questions ask prior to auction. Pick up was flawless
PeterCalgary, CA
Nov 17, 2021
Very satisfied with the overall experience!
Very satisfied with the overall experience! Swann Auction Galleries were very professional, efficient, and cordial. Much appreciated.
Past Auctions from Swann Auction Galleries
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