Far from the big name houses of NYC, Ohio, Indiana and Michigan host a lively auction trade. While these Midwestern firms seldom grab the headlines, they do offer reputable representation and a diverse selection of goods for both buyers and sellers. 

Here is an annotated list of companies in the heartland whose records are archived in the Rare Book Hub database. Most are multi-faceted, i.e. their sales cover the whole range of collectibles including art, antiques, Americana, photography, ephemera and other categories, not just books. 

Each firm has its own terms, schedules and live and/or online events – so if considering doing business with any of these companies be sure to make contact directly and read the specifics terms carefully. These include registration, buyer and seller premiums, shipping and other details before bidding or consigning. 

Many also offer other services such as appraisals and consultation, as well as informative newsletters and updates which can be accessed through the individual sites. In addition to upcoming sales most also display the results of prior recent events and many include photos with prices realized as well.

These are not the only auction houses in the tri-state area; following the individual listing of companies with RBH records there is a link that connects to a greater number of firms, categories and their upcoming events. These may include real estate, equipment, and vehicle sales.

For each state there is also a second link connecting to upcoming book sales. These tend to be Friends of the Library or charitable events with books sold at low prices on selected dates or an ongoing basis. Rare Book Hub Monthly does not vouch for the accuracy of any of these listings and recommends the reader verify the details.

 

OHIO AUCTION HOUSES WITH RECORDS IN THE RBH DATABASE

Antiques and Estate Auctioneers https://www.estateauctioneers.com  Berea, OH

Specializes in the liquidation of estates and collections of historical figures, Militaria items from Civil War to Current issue, Firearms of all ages including Military, Early Racing Memorabilia, Coins and Currency as well as rare and unique specialty items.

Aspire Auctions https://www.aspireauctions.com Cleveland, OH & Pittsburg, PA

Since 2002 Aspire Auctions has been a regional auction firm serving Cleveland, Chicago, and Pittsburgh markets. Its Cleveland auction house and gallery offers auctions, free auction estimates, and professional appraisals for a wide range of collectible items, fine art, antiques, and luxury goods. It seeks consignments of fine and decorative art, works on paper, sculpture, art glass and porcelain, modern design, Asian arts, jewelry, watches and clocks, luxury accessories and other antique items as well as works by artists from Cleveland and Ohio. This firm has a particularly informative website with good photos of items sold, descriptions, estimates and prices realized.

Cowan’s Auctions (Hindman) https://cowans.hindmanauctions.com/ Cincinnati, OH Hindman Auctions was formed through the 2017 merger of Leslie Hindman Auctioneers and Cowan’s Auctions (est. 1995 in Cincinnati). Hindman celebrated its 40th anniversary in October 2022. The company has served as a leading auction house in the Ohio Valley for many years and as a Hindman affiliate also has multiple other locations across the country. The Cincinnati office hosts events, presents presale exhibitions, and holds auctions across collecting categories. The firm specialties include Native American Art, American Historical Ephemera & Photography, and Arms, Armor & Militaria.

Rachel Davis Fine Arts http://www.racheldavisfinearts.com/  Cleveland, OH

Rachel Davis Fine Arts was founded in July of 1987 and opened a commercial gallery in May 1992. It began auctions of works on paper in October of that year, and added auctions of paintings in March 1996. Later in 1996, the company began auctioning rare and out-of-print books. In 2001 it branched out to become a full service auction house including furniture, jewelry and decorative arts.

Fleischer’s Auctions https://www.fleischersauctions.com/  Columbus, OH

Fleischer’s Auctions specializes in American antiques, artifacts, and ephemera. Over the years, the firm has offered important material. Recent highlights include a circa 1785 Charleston “Free Badge” (price realized: $133,665); a letter written by an eyewitness to Lincoln’s assassination (price realized: $18,800); and a rare ambrotype of a Civil War soldier holding an M1855 Colt revolving rifle (price realized: $32,197), the highest auction price ever achieved for a portrait of an unidentified Civil War soldier. An April auction of Americana and African-Americana was strong on ephemera and photography. Results and prices realized may be viewed online.

Garth’s https://www.garths.com   Columbus, OH

No longer offers auction services. The firm refers their clientele to Amelia Jeffers.

Gray’s Auctioneers https://www.graysauctioneers.com/  Cleveland, OH

Deba Gray and Serena Harragin founded Gray’s in 2006 to provide the North East Ohio community of collectors with a fine art auction house committed to honesty, accuracy, empathy and efficiency, and dedicated to realizing the full value of all consigned artworks. It hosts monthly live and online auctions. Past auctions include decorative arts, jewelry, items related to Petroliana (gas stations) and vintage toys.

Amelia Jeffers https://www.ameliajeffers.com/  Columbus, OH 

Jeffers offers a variety of auctions, appraisals, consulting and sales between private parties. Their weekly, online-only estate sale auctions are now live, with new sales posting every Friday and an auction ending every Monday night.

Kolbe & Fanning Numismatic Booksellers  https://www.numislit.com  Gahanna, OH 

Kolbe & Fanning is the largest and longest currently active rare numismatic literature firm in the world (coins, currency, medals). Established in 1967 by George F. Kolbe, its first mail-bid sale was held in 1976. The company averages four mail-bid or public auction sales per year.

Meander Auctions https://www.meanderauctions.com/  Marietta, OH (Gallery-Whipple)

Meander Auctions replaces the prior firm Ohio Company Antiques and Arts. It sells antiques, art, and collectibles of many types and at all price points. Their specialties include articles made or used in the Ohio River Valley and Midwest such as furniture, glass, pottery, metals, textiles, paintings, prints, historical artifacts and ephemera, early photographs.

Treadway Gallery https://www.treadwaygallery.com/ Cincinnati, OH

This firm does not list any upcoming auction, but does display results for infrequent events in 2024 and earlier with items mainly in fine arts, decorative and design categories.

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Ohio AUCTIONS Upcoming  https://www.auctionzip.com/oh.html  

Ohio BOOK SALES Upcoming  https://www.booksalefinder.com/OH.html 

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INDIANA AUCTION FIRMS WITH RECORDS IN THE RBH DATABASE

Robert J. Brown Appraisals http://www.rjbappraisals.com/  Indianapolis. IN

For over 25 years, Robert J. Brown Appraisal Services has offered Indiana expertise in appraisals of antiques, art, coins, guns, collectibles, furs, jewelry, oriental rugs, vehicles, and more. Their site presently does not list any upcoming events, or review of prior auctions.

Ripley Auctions https://www.ripleyauctions.com  Indianapolis, IN

Ripley Auctions has offered auction and appraisal services for over 30 years. The company's owner, Dan Ripley, is an art and antiques authority and a third-generation Indianapolis art and antiques dealer. Auction and appraisal services are available for estates, individuals, heirs, executors, other legal representatives and commercial clients. It also provides in-house international shipping service along with safe transport of consignments to its gallery. Recent events have included vintage technology, sports memorabilia and jewelry. Many of the items sold by this house are in the low to moderate price range.

Indiana AUCTIONS Upcoming https://www.auctionzip.com/in.html 

Indiana BOOK SALES Upcoming https://www.booksalefinder.com/IN.html  

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MICHIGAN AUCTION HOUSE WITH RECORDS IN THE RBH DATABASE

DuMouchelles https://www.dumouchelles.com  Detroit, MI

Established in 1927 DuMouchelles has been a Detroit institution for generations. Over the decades it has handled the estates of many prominent families and individuals. It offers monthly live and online auctions, with many of the lots going for modest prices. The historical “About Us” section of its site is extremely detailed and has a scrapbook style compilation of the firm’s history that students of the auction trade will find of particular interest.

Michigan AUCTIONS Upcoming https://www.auctionzip.com/mi.html  

Michigan BOOK SALES Upcoming https://www.booksalefinder.com/MI.html