Lawson Menzies

History James R Lawson senior established himself as the leading auctioneer in Sydney Town during the 1870’s when Sydney was a bustling market town, thronging with new immigrants full of pioneering opportunities as a new world city. In those days everything from groceries such as the tea and salt, through to sailing ships were sold by public auction often on the wharfs. James R Lawson was well known in his day as the leading auctioneer in Sydney and he also had a reputation as a great raconteur and the best dressed auctioneer in town. Into this century the family owned company of Lawson’s sold many of the finest collections at Sydney’s gracious homes including on site auctions at Toft Monks and Notable collections sold included the Burdekin House sale in 1922, The Lloyd Jones collection at Rosemont Woollahra in 1981, the Norman Sheuruck collection in 1963 and the Sim Rubensohn collection at Kelvin Lodge in 1973. More recently Lawson sold the collection of Amana Finley and Sir Peter and Lady Finley in April 2003. As it is today In September 2001 Menzies Group of Companies acquired the historic Sydney auction house Lawson’s that has over 130 years unbroken auction history in Australia. The company handles domestic and general chattels as well as the upper end market art, wine, jewels, decorative arts and prestigious house contents auctions. The Future Lawsons aim is to become the leading fully integrated auction house in Australia. Clients nationally will be able to take advantage of a fully serviced auction house in Australia’s financial capital Sydney, via our successful marketing, our website, a national and international network of representatives and our excellent customer service.