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Introducing Forum Auctions | Books and Works on Paper Specialists

Introducing Forum Auctions | Books and Works on Paper Specialists

In Conversation | Jonathan Pratt and Rupert Powell

We are delighted to welcome Battersea based Forum Auctions into common ownership following its acquisition by our parent company Gurr Johns International. In a serendipitous full circle, Rupert and his team have rejoined past colleagues following their departure from Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions in 2016 to establish Forum Auctions.

Presenting an auction calendar featuring upwards of 50 sales a year across all genres of the books, manuscripts, maps and prints markets, Forum Auctions’ specialist expertise offers an exciting expansion to the services accessible to our clients. The firm’s e-commerce led business model presents near weekly timed online sales alongside a rich and varied calendar of monthly live “Fine” catalogued auctions, punctuated by landmark offerings of single owner collections.

The market for first editions by familiar literary greats is vibrant and Forum Auctions hold regular specialist sales dedicated to this collectible genre.

Tolkien (J.R.R.), The Hobbit, or There and Back Again, first edition, first impression, 1937 | Sold for £43,750

Forum Auctions’ focus on books is complimented by a team of Prints and Editions specialists. With a monthly calendar of both Live and Online-Only auctions, the department handles everything from rare Old Master Prints through to 20th century Modern Art and works by today’s most influential Contemporary and Urban artists. Indeed, the firm maintains a 25% global share in the auction market for Banksy’s numbered prints.

Inline Image - Banksy (b. 1975), 'Girl With Balloon', screenprint in black and red, 2004, numbered and signed from the edition of 150. Sold by private treaty in 2020 for £460,000, this signed impression of Banksy’s most sought after print commanded one of the highest prices ever paid for a 21st century editioned work

Banksy (b. 1975), 'Girl With Balloon', screenprint in black and red, 2004, numbered and signed from the edition of 150. Sold by private treaty in 2020 for £460,000, this signed impression of Banksy’s most sought after print commanded one of the highest prices ever paid for a 21st century editioned work

Works from 20^thcentury masters continue to command high prices in this bellweather sector of the Works on Paper market.

Inline Image - Marc Chagall (1887-1985), 'Cirque (Cramer 68)', The book, 1967, comprising 38 lithographs, 23 printed in colours, with title-page, text and justification, this copy signed in pencil, numbered from the edition of 250. Amongst the rarest of Chaggall’s edition works, this fine copy sold in 2021 doe £100,000

Marc Chagall (1887-1985), 'Cirque (Cramer 68)', The book, 1967, comprising 38 lithographs, 23 printed in colours, with title-page, text and justification, this copy signed in pencil, numbered from the edition of 250. Amongst the rarest of Chaggall’s edition works, this fine copy sold in 2021 doe £100,000

Forum Auctions is one of the few remaining auction houses that maintains a specialist department for the highly academic genre of Old Master prints and drawings.

Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669), 'The Descent from the Cross: Second Plate', Etching and engraving, 1633. Sold for £17,500 in July 2022

We look forward to our clients accessing our expanded product range, with Rupert and his colleagues always enthusiastically on hand to discuss both your consignment and collecting needs. Dreweatts clients wishing to open a Forum Auctions bidding account can do so utilising their current account credentials; please email office@forumauctions.co.uk to set this up.