eBay, one of the world’s largest online marketplaces, has launched live
auctions today, opening the doors of traditional brick-and-mortar
auction houses to online shoppers around the world. This new experience
makes art and collectibles accessible to the broadest possible audience
and offers a fresh, modern way to discover, browse and buy premium
pieces online.
eBay’s live auctions provide virtual entrance to auction house salerooms
from anywhere in the world, and eBay’s 149 million active buyers now
have the same access to auction merchandise as those bidding in person
on the auction room floor. Inventory is sold directly by hundreds of
world class traditional auction houses, including premier partners such
as Doyle New York, Freeman’s, Garth's Auctions and Swann Auction
Galleries. All items are backed by the eBay
Money Back Guarantee.
“Through the launch of live auctions, eBay is reimagining the
time-honored auction house experience,” said Gene Cook, general manager
of emerging verticals for eBay Marketplaces. “We know that people want
new ways to peruse and purchase fine art and collectibles, and eBay’s
live auctions are a best-in-class, inspiring shopping experience that
delivers on this at a variety of price points.”
eBay’s live auctions are launching in partnership with Invaluable, the
market leader in online live auctions for fine art and collectibles. The
new experience utilizes Invaluable’s online bidding technology and other
software solutions to bring billions of dollars of one-of-a-kind live
auction merchandise to eBay.
“Invaluable is committed to rapidly scaling the live auction industry
and making unique, premier artwork, antiques and collectibles available
to online bidders through our strong relationships with auction houses
around the world,” said Rob Weisberg, Invaluable CEO. “We’re excited to
be working with eBay to make it even easier for shoppers, collectors and
dealers to have access to the incredible merchandise only available
through the world’s premier auction houses, right at their fingertips.”
Starting today, shoppers can preview catalogs and sign up for upcoming
sales. Users can then bid at individual events. In addition, users can
also enter absentee bids prior to an event for added convenience.
Among the first events eBay users will be able to participate in include:
10/9 African-American Fine Art – hosted by Swann Auction Galleries
10/14 Rare & Important Travel Posters – hosted by Swann Auction Galleries
10/15 English & Continental Furniture & Decorations/Old Master Paintings
– hosted by Doyle New York
10/16 Books, Maps and Manuscripts – hosted by Freeman’s
10/17 Fine Photographs: Icons & Images – hosted by Swann Auction
Galleries
10/21 Early Printed, Medical & Scientific Books – hosted by Swann
Auction Galleries
10/21 Important Jewelry – hosted by Doyle New York
As previously announced, eBay has also partnered with the iconic
international art business and auctioneer, Sotheby’s, to be the anchor
tenant of the new live auctions experience. In the coming months, eBay
will begin to offer a number of live auctions that are taking place at
Sotheby’s headquarters in New York. The Sotheby’s auctions will present
18 collecting categories. The two companies are exploring themed and
time-based sales, as well as live auctions from Sotheby’s other global
salesrooms.
For additional information about eBay’s live auctions or to sign up for
an upcoming event, visit www.ebay.com/collectibles-liveauctions.
About eBay Marketplaces
eBay (NASDAQ:EBAY) is one of the world’s largest online marketplaces,
connecting people with the things they need and love virtually anytime,
anywhere. eBay has 149 million active buyers globally and more than 700
million live individual and merchant listings at any given time. With
mobile apps available in 190 countries, eBay delivers a personalized
shopping experience and seamless access to inventory from down the
street and around the world. Tailored shopping experiences customize
buying and selling; and eBay provides variety and choice for sellers by
enabling them to offer goods through online, mobile and local channels
to consumers around the world. For more information, visit ebay.com.
About Invaluable
Invaluable, the leading online live auction marketplace, features a live
online bidding platform that allows collectors and dealers to bid in
real-time in auctions held around the world. As the leading developer of
SaaS and ecommerce applications for the auction industry, Invaluable
provides auction houses with ecommerce and marketing solutions, as well
as auction management software. Invaluable’s best-in-class historical
price database includes more than 58 million complete auction results,
totaling more than $204 billion in value. Founded in 1989 and
headquartered in Boston, Invaluable also has offices in the United
Kingdom. For more information, visit www.Invaluable.com.
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