SELLING

HOW TO CONSIGN

Cowan’s sells fine art and antiques from every category, culture and time period – for individuals, estates and trusts and institutions. While we sell most items at public auction, we also handle private treaty sales and offer full appraisal services.

To Consign with Cowan’s

Submit an online consignment request, Call 513-871-1670, contact one of our department specialists, or send an email to arrange for us to visit you, or attend a free auction valuation event in Cincinnati or Cleveland.

When submitting an online request, be sure to include:

Clear photographs. Smart phone photos work perfectly. Include identifying marks, details and damage. Try to photograph your property in an uncluttered setting.

Include information about the object’s provenance and authenticity: artist or maker, medium or material, object dimensions, identifying marks, country of origin and number of items in a set. Purchase receipts, previous written appraisals or other information about how you acquired the object can be very helpful in determining an accurate auction estimate.

The better your information, the more accurate our estimate!

Cowan’s attracts passionate buyers from all over the world, and regularly achieves record prices. Customers value our reputation for honesty and service. We provide free, nonbinding estimates of how much your item might bring at auction. We welcome the opportunity to represent you.

CONSIGNOR TESTIMONIALS

 

  • “Serving as executor of my mother’s estate, I was responsible for liquidating an extremely rare piece of furniture. For several years, I approached the matter of selling it from every angle I could think of.  The recommendation that I contact Cowan’s came up repeatedly as I pursued my inquires.

    “The effort Cowan’s dedicated to marketing our item impressed me greatly. The results of the sale frankly astonished me and persons much more knowledgeable than I.

    “Each person I dealt with in the Cowan’s organization and every aspect of the process was exceptional in every particular way. Their people are cordial, professional, and highly competent in every case. The behind the scenes things such as transportation of the item, various business transactions involved with the sale, and every other detail were flawless, which ensured a tremendously successful outcome. My hopes and expectations as well as those of my family were exceeded in every possible way.”

    Ian, Fine & Decorative Art Consignor

  • “Thank you for handling my uncle’s items and for working with my parents on the difficult and stressful job of curating everything my uncle left for my dad to deal with. Of all the folks mom and dad have had to deal with thus far, you have been one that they have appreciated very, very much!”

    Robin, American Indian Art Consignor

  • “I have always been on the buying side collecting Civil War photographs and art at auctions, and this experience on the selling side was most satisfying. The June 9, 2017 catalog is the best I have ever seen and that includes some from major New York houses. Please accept my compliments to Wes, Katie, and the entire staff at Cowan’s for a sale well done from inception to the last fall of the hammer on the last item.”

    Dave, American History Consignor

  • “When my father passed away last year, I knew we had several choices of auction houses to sell his antique weapons. I reached out to a few of his fellow American Society of Arms Collectors friends for advice. Two men, one from Indiana and one from Virginia, recommended Jack Lewis as a top choice. A third collector from California added approval. When Jack made the trip to pick up dad’s guns and knives, I was impressed with the wide span of his knowledge, and, more importantly, found him to be a perfect mix of both friendly and professional. He is truly an asset for Cowan’s.”

    Judy, Historic Firearms & Militaria Consignor

  • “You guys are the best. Best research, great photos and great descriptions. My consignments never felt so important!”

    Linda, American History Consignor

  • “Just a quick note to thank you for the wonderful research and description of my item. I was very impressed by the detail and thoroughness of the lot description.”

    Craig, American History Consignor

WHAT WE SELL