Freeman's
Introducing Freeman’s—America’s Auction House since 1805
The prestige of Freeman’s, Cowan’s, and Hindman—now united under one timeless name. This November, the company will move forward simply as Freeman’s, honoring its historic legacy. The rebrand coincides with the 220th anniversary of its founding in November 1805, when Tristram B. Freeman was appointed auctioneer for the City of Philadelphia.
For more than two centuries, Freeman’s has connected people with extraordinary objects. This next chapter brings together the firm’s combined history, experience, and national reach under one trusted name. Though the brand has evolved, the commitment to clients remains unchanged: to provide exceptional service and expertise at every step.
Upcoming Auctions from Freeman's
Old Masters & 19th Century Art
This May, Freeman’s will present a wide selection of European paintings from the 17th to 19th centuries. Highlights of the sale include an exquisite still life by the German artist Johann Wilhelm Preyer, a monumental view of the Nile at twilight by Adolf von Meckel, and Franz Christoph Janneck’s jewel-like cabinet painting, The Transformation of Medusa. Other lots of note include works on paper by Jean-Honoré Fragonard, Thomas Gainsborough, and Jean-François Millet, as well as a recently rediscovered portrait in oil by George Romney of Cornelius Heathcote (1754-1825).
Post-War & Contemporary Art
The May 13th Post War & Contemporary Art auction at Freeman’s is a creatively curated collage of 83 lots that takes bidders on visual journey through eight decades of art history exploring a cohesive yet diverse range of mediums, movements, concepts, dimensions and acquisition opportunities from a variety of sought after and significant 20th and 21st century artists. Auction anchoring highlights include a fresh to the market transcendently ethereal Richard Mayhew landscape; a powerfully provocative text-based Andy Warhol canvas; an emblematic mid-sixties Robert Rauschenberg solvent transfer, a vivid hard-edged large scale Peter Halley abstraction and a pair of monumental outdoor Allan Houser sculptures that explore his signature Native American themes in a more stylized mode. Also noteworthy, and of an impressive scale are expansive abstract paintings by Caio Fonseca and Jamie Nares, as well as a 28-foot-tall Beverly Pepper column. The sale also features fantastically imaginative figuration with compelling narrative complexities by Roger Brown, Magdalena Abakanowicz, Kiki Smith, Manalo Valdes, Ed Paschke, Julie Heffernan and Sophie Ryder amongst kindred others. Pushing the boundaries of material and technique are shapeshifting stunners by Olga de Amaral, Dorthea Rockburen and Heidi Bucher that warrant deeper dives. For fans of non-objective works, stellar examples by Frank Stella, Gerhart Richter, Ken Noland, Sam Francis and Alfred Leslie lead the charge on that front, balanced on the opposite end of the representational spectrum by edgy photo realism from Janet Fish, John Salt and Marylin Minter. Rounding out the sale, are energetic of the moment works by fresh contemporary voices Ann Craven, Bunny Rogers, Sterling Ruby, Rafa Macarron and Austin Eddy.
Collect: Post War & Contemporary Art
The May 14th Collect: Post War & Contemporary Art auction is a standalone sale that is dually in strategic support and complement of our May 13th marquee Post War & Contemporary Art auction, with 117 thoughtful arranged lots, 116 of which are priced under $5,000, designed with accessibility, discovery and following one's heart without impact to the wallet in mind. The composition of the sale leans heavily to the contemporary with the bulk of the offering being produced in the 21st century and many within the last decade. Amongst the most avantgarde and captivating of the freshly produced are compellingly playful but not less poigiant examples from Hunt Slonem, Rosson Crow, Adam Helms, Marianne Vitale, John Virtue, Barnaby Furnas, N. Dash, Bella Foster and John Buck. Of note from the 20th century are stellar lots from Donald Sultan, William Christenberry, Elaine Kurtz, Ota Jane?ek, Gottifried Honneger and Vladimir Veli?kovi?. Also engagingly on offer are vivid contemporary color photographs by Aberlardo Morrell, Andrew Moore, Laurie Simmons, Stéphane Couturier and Peter Bialobrzeski. Eye pleasing multiples from 20th century masters Elsworth Kelly, Jasper Johns, John Baldessari, Öyvind Fahlström, Josef Albers and Frank Stella. Freeman's welcomes you to explore the auction with a mind open to impulse buys and forever homes for newly found friends.![Tolkien, J.R.R. (1892-1973). [The Lord of the Rings trilogy:] The Fellowship of the Ring. 1954. --](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/197/414164/230334371_1_x.jpg?height=260&quality=70&version=1776349915)
The Library of Stephen J. Farber
This spring, Freeman’s is pleased to present The Library of Stephen J. Farber. Over the course of nearly seven decades, Mr. Farber assembled superb copies of some of the most important works of literature ever printed. Highlights include a near-pristine first edition of George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four with the scarce original wraparound band; numerous original printings of works by Edgar Allan Poe, among them a first printing of “The Raven?? in the exceptionally scarce original wrappers; a first edition set of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings; and Mary Wollstonecraft’s foundational feminist text, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman.![[Chicago Pre-Fire]. Sheahan, James W. (1824-1883), text, and Louis Kurz (1833-1921), artist. Chicago](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/197/414348/230442113_1_x.jpg?height=260&quality=70&version=1776445662)
![[Communications Theory]. A significant archive of works on communications theory, comprising](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/197/414348/230442017_1_x.jpg?height=130&quality=70&version=1776445662)
Books & Manuscripts, including Americana
Day Two of our Books & Manuscripts sale brings together a dynamic selection of high spots and notable collections. Highlights include an unrecorded Fourth Folio of William Shakespeare, alongside compelling groups of photography and ephemera documenting the Great Chicago Fire. The sale further features two important archives in the fields of Game Theory and Communication Theory. Rounding out the offering is a strong selection of Americana, including Native American photography, works by John James Audubon, and material relating to the founding of the United States.
Antiquities of the Garden
Freeman's is pleased to present two auction sessions on May 20th, offering an exceptional range of antiquities for collectors at every level. The morning session opens with Antiquities of the Garden: A Collector's Living Ancient World (Sale 6504, Lots 1–122, 9:00 AM CT). This collection brings together ancient works thoughtfully assembled and lived with by a single collector. A fully illustrated catalogue is available for this sale. The afternoon continues with Antiquities and Ancient Art (Sale 6523, Lots 123–205, 12:00 PM CT), a curated selection spanning the ancient Near East, Egypt, the Greco-Roman world, and beyond, offering further opportunities to acquire objects of enduring historical and aesthetic significance.
Antiquities and Ancient Art
Freeman's is pleased to present two auction sessions on May 20th, offering an exceptional range of antiquities for collectors at every level. The morning session opens with Antiquities of the Garden: A Collector's Living Ancient World (Sale 6504, Lots 1–122, 9:00 AM CT). This collection brings together ancient works thoughtfully assembled and lived with by a single collector. A fully illustrated catalogue is available for this sale. The afternoon continues with Antiquities and Ancient Art (Sale 6523, Lots 123–205, 12:00 PM CT), a curated selection spanning the ancient Near East, Egypt, the Greco-Roman world, and beyond, offering further opportunities to acquire objects of enduring historical and aesthetic significance.
Modern and Early 20th Century Design
Freeman’s Modern and Early 20th Century Design sale features a broad variety of eras and styles, including over 240 lots of furniture and decorative arts. There are several large collections of work by Toshiko Takaezu, Phillip Moulthrop and Clarice Cliff. Studio makers have a large presence with pieces by George Nakashima, Paul Evans, Samuel Yellin, Albert Paley and Sam Maloof. Also included is a large selection of art glass including several works by Lino Tagliapietra and Dale Chihuly.Bidder Reviews for Freeman's (1,753)
4.4 out of 5.0 Stars
8 Latest Top ReviewsSee All
EdFort Myers, FL
Apr 26, 2026
Freemans provided great service, plus recommended Mr Shipper
Great auction team and I used their recommended list of shippers, Mr Shipper.
![Navajo Eastern Reservation Weaving [Rug]](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/197/412223/229218007_1_x.jpg?height=94&quality=70&version=1)
PeterBinningen, CH
Apr 20, 2026
Friendly customer service
Very helpful response to a request for additional photos. Unfortunately, the automated shipping service is rather expensive and does not allow for personal contact to negotiate/explore more economic options.
StevenSumter, SC
Apr 03, 2026
Very pleased with my purchases from Freeman's
I was very pleased with both items I won in the Freeman's auction. Pictures and descriptions accurately portrayed the items. Customer service was great and my winnings were quickly shipped.
EmmanuelMontlhéry, FR
Mar 25, 2026
RickHonobia, OK
Mar 11, 2026
Very pleased with Cincinnati location.
The Cincinnati location is top drawer. The young lady I dealt with was extremely sharp, answered a couple of questions I had and was able to take my payment and arrange shipping all during the same phone call. She even spotted a discrepancy in my mailing address, that she corrected then and there. I will definitely be bidding with them in the future.
MatthewWappingers Falls, NY
Mar 06, 2026
High quality antique painting, even better than described!
While I waited for it to arrive, I was sure I had paid too much, but when it got here, I felt like I got a great deal! Painting was well worth the money. I would definitely buy from Freeman's again. Thank you!
Past Auctions from Freeman's
![[GOLD RUSH]. The Way They Go to California. New York: N. Currier, 1849.](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/197/391342/216793798_1_x.jpg?height=260&quality=70&version=1759769331)
![[EARLY PHOTOGRAPHY]. Sixth plate daguerreotype of a photographer posed with an American-made](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/197/391342/216793571_1_x.jpg?height=130&quality=70&version=1759769331)
![[FLAGS]. 37-star American parade flag with "Great Star" configuration. Ca 1867-1876.](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/197/391342/216793527_1_x.jpg?height=130&quality=70&version=1759769331)
Photographs, including property from the MFAH
Denver, Cincinnati, Phila, Chicago, IL, US
Record Auction Results for Freeman's
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