the myriad of ways that online bidding frees them from geographic and time constraints. Artfact Live! is a true win-win-win for fine auction houses, their consignors, and qualified bidders that need online access!”
Background:
Artfact.com is the largest global marketplace of fine and decorative arts, antiques, collectibles, and estate auctions. Over 1,000 fine auctioneers actively list their catalogues with Artfact.com and its U.K. sister site Invaluable.com, resulting in more than 100,000 fine and decorative art objects and collectibles for sale at upcoming auctions daily.
Over the past 20 years, the Artfact community has grown to more than 6 million knowledgeable collectors and dealers worldwide. The Artfact.com and Invaluable.com websites receive more than 20,000 visits daily, and sent more than 35 million email alerts in 2007 matching bidders’ collecting preferences with lots available for sale by its auction house partners.
Originally founded in 1989 as an auction catalogue processor and auction results database for Sotheby’s, Christies, and other fine auctioneers, today Artfact is the global leader in fine auction information listing over 100,000 lots for sale daily at the best auctioneers around the world, and about $90/£45 billion in unabridged past auction results including works by over 500,000 international artists.
Artfact’s RFC Systems software manages the entire business of prestigious auction houses in seven countries and four languages, including Artcurial, Charlton Hall, Doyle New York, Eldred's, Gorringes, Galerie Koller, I.M. Chait, Leslie Hindman, Lyon & Turnbull, Spink, Swann Galleries, Tajan, and Weschler's. Artfact systems include live online bidding with audio and video, in conjunction with e-commerce partner eBay and, starting in 2008, directly from Artfact.com and Invaluable.com.
In 2007, Artfact purchased Invaluable.com, the leading provider of auction marketing services and databases to the United Kingdom market. Today, the Invaluable team on the Isle of Wight continues to provide U.K. clients with industry-leading service and support.
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Editor’s Notes:
• Additional background information available.
• Complimentary subscriptions to Artfact or Invaluable are available to qualified media.
• Interviews with Adam Kirsch or Rod Funston can be arranged.
