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MARLBOROUGH, Mass. – April 10, 2012 – Skinner, Inc., a leading full-service auctioneer and appraiser of antiques and fine art, today announced a new timed auction platform, which will debut as a part of Skinner’s upcoming Fine Wines auction starting May 3rd. Also known as a ‘timed auction,’ a portion of the upcoming sale will be offered in the new online-only format starting on May 4th and will run for more than a week.
Demand for Fine Wine and other specialty material is driving the need for the expanded online format. According to Karen Keane, CEO of Skinner, “The introduction of the fixed-time, online format was in direct response to customer demand.” Keane continued, “Timed auctions allow us to offer more lots than is possible in the live auction format, providing benefit to both consignors and buyers. It also allows us to engage prospective buyers with the increased flexibility that internet bidding affords.”
Skinner selected the Fine Wines sale for its first timed auction due to specific demand from the industry. “We know this is how a significant number of our bidders prefer to do business,” said Marie Keep, Director of Fine Wines and Managing Director of Skinner. “In addition, timed, online-only auctions will allow Skinner to offer wines that appeal to a widening circle of buyers.” Skinner will offer more than 500 lots of wine in the online sale. Selections range from vertical and horizontal lots of Burgundy and Bordeaux to mixed lots of Port and Cognac, single bottles of first growth 1982 Bordeaux and a wide range of California wines.
“Timed auctions are one part of a renewed vision for Skinner’s online business,” added Karen Keane. “We are actively evaluating how our customers in all specialties want to interact with us and are tailoring our online strategies accordingly.”
This first timed auction immediately follows the live Fine Wine auction being held in the Boston gallery on May 3rd. The online sale will commence on May 4th at midnight EDT and bids for more than 500 online lots will be accepted until 8:00 p.m. EDT on May 13th. Descriptions for both the May 3rd live auction and the online portion of the sale and will be presented in a single catalog available by mail from the subscription department at +1 508-970-3240 or at the gallery.
Both fine wine enthusiasts as well as new collectors can learn more about the timed auction at https://www.skinnerinc.com/online-wine-auction.php, or by calling +1 508-970-3296.
About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the world’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner’s appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, American & European Works of Art, European Furniture & Decorative Arts, 20th Century Design, Fine Ceramics, Fine Silver, Fine Jewelry, Couture, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Works of Art, Fine Wines, Rare Books & Manuscripts, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, Fine Judaica, Antique Motor Vehicles, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Discovery and Science, Technology & Clocks. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Marlborough, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com.
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Contacts
- Kate de Bethune, Director of Marketing, 508-970-3231, kdebethune@skinnerinc.com
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