Two notable auction houses will merge their businesses to create a network of six salerooms and 18 regional offices across the country, writes Anthony DeMarco for Forbes.

The auction houses are the Center City-based Freeman’s and Chicago-based Hindman. 

Executives say that under the new merger — named Freeman’s | Hindman — it will have “the largest, coast-to-coast presence of any auction house in the United States, with plans to expand into international markets.”

Spanning 218 years, Freeman’s is the oldest auction house in the United States. It specializes in American arts, crafts and collectibles with a particular niche in Pennsylvania Impressionists.

Hindman was founded in 1982, and is a full-service auction house dealing in all major fine art and luxury collecting categories.

While the merger is still in its early stages, Freeman’s | Hindman executives said the new company will put them in position to lead the upper-middle auction market in the U.S.

A big focus area is New York, as the company will soon occupy a 5,000-square-foot saleroom in Manhattan.

There are also hopes to expand nationally through Freeman’s partnership with Edinburgh-based Lyon & Turnbull auction house.

“The merger strengthens our advantage in an increasingly competitive auction market and sets us up for continued growth,” said Jay Frederick Krehbiel, Freeman’s | Hindman executive chairman.

Read more Center City-based Freeman’s decision to merge with Chicago-based Hindman to create the largest, coast-to-coast auction house in the United States at Forbes.

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