Guernsey's

Biography

Established in 1975 in New York, Guernsey’s has made a name for itself as a visionary in the auction world, blazing new frontiers in every facet of the industry. With a style that emphasizes its slogan, “The Unique at Auction,” Guernsey’s caters to a vastly diverse audience with the most eclectic and superlative of tastes, and employs its sophisticated marketing techniques to ensure maximum exposure for all of its collections. To date, the auction house has partnered with Invaluable.com for 29 auctions.

As the first traditional auction house to boast a national broadcast of a live auction by CNN, and ultimately the first to utilize the internet to augment a sale, Guernsey’s burst onto the international marketplace through its targeted campaigns, transforming the face of media interaction with the industry by whetting the world’s palate for the excitement so intrinsic to the realm of auctions. To this day, the auction house is consistently highlighted in publications such as the New York Times and the Associated Press, and is regularly featured on the Today Show, Good Morning America, and many other prominent network television broadcasts.

From its historic auction of recovered artifacts from the Titanic disaster at the South Street Seaport Museum in New York, to its monumental sale of Elvis Presley’s estate at Kirk Kerkorian’s MGM Grand Resort in Las Vegas, Guernsey’s unique flair for selecting locations that reflect the mood of each individual auction always creates a significant and authentic experience for buyers and sellers, alike.

Other notable sales include a necklace and pair of earrings worn by Princess Diana; rare relics from the Civil War, in a historic auction at The New York Historical Society; two Jerry Garcia (Grateful Dead) guitars, for a record-setting $789,000 and $959,000; Mark McGwire’s 70th home run baseball, which at $3 million, garnered twenty-three times the previous world record, and constituted the highest bid ever realized for a sports artifact; and a yacht owned by President John F. Kennedy, for $6 million, which was featured in an auction that highlighted the legacy of President Kennedy, sparking a media frenzy.

Guernsey’s also boasts the biggest auction ever conducted, in its sale of the contents of the SS United States, the largest ocean liner constructed in U.S. history. Additionally, the auction house proudly identifies as the first to partner with a major international sporting event to host an auction, and regularly hosts auctions in conjunction with renowned museums and non-profit organizations, such as The Smithsonian and The Special Olympics.

Services & Staff

Guernsey’s founders, Barbara Mintz and Arlan Ettinger, developed cutting-edge market strategies that paved the way for a new generation of auction houses. Prospective cosigners, or individuals interested in booking an onsite appointment, may contact the auction house’s illustrious team of specialists. Additionally, auction catalogues may be purchased through this link.

Follow Them Online

Guernsey’s maintains a comprehensive website, with information regarding services rendered, past and upcoming auctions, and much more.