Today we’d like to introduce you to Lucy Toomey, Joe Stanfield, and John Walcher.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Lucy, Joe, and John. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Toomey & Co. Auctioneers is the second generation of our business.
After 30 years of successful auctions, December 2017 marked our final sale as partners in Treadway Toomey Auctions, a pioneer in selling 20th-century art and design. We are located in Oak Park, the first suburb west of Chicago.
Toomey & Co. Auctioneers is surrounded by a vibrant arts community, including Prairie School architecture by prominent architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright, William Eugene Drummond, George Washington Maher, and Marion Mahony Griffin.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The art auction business has evolved quite a bit over the past few decades. Under our former partnership, Toomey & Co. Auctioneers built a reputation of integrity and of being well equipped to compete with large, global auction houses.
Over the course of the past few months, we have undergone a complete rebranding. This has involved developing a cutting-edge website virtually from scratch that is filled with substantive content and making a concerted effort to engage with clients through social media on a daily basis.
The staff at Toomey & Co. possess diverse backgrounds and a wealth of knowledge about art and design history as well as the auction business. We want to build relationships with educated buyers. Therefore, part of our company mission is to inform clients about the work we handle and a wide range of artists and makers.
Even though the auction industry has gone increasingly online, we really encourage people to visit our space to see the art and design first hand and attend our auctions. While bidding via the Internet or by phone is convenient, nothing can replace the experience of participating in a live auction in person.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Toomey & Co. Auctioneers – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Toomey & Co. Auctioneers is considered one of the premier specialty auction houses in the country and has been conducting auctions since 1987. We hold several carefully curated auctions each year. Our departments include Fine Art, Early 20th Century Design, Modern Design, Fine Furniture & Decorative Arts, Silver & Objects of Vertu, and Fine Jewelry & Timepieces.
In addition to our focus on Modern and Contemporary Art & Design, we handle works from a variety of periods and are always seeking consignments ranging from a single item to an entire collection or estate. Our 2016 and 2017 schedules included additional single-owner auctions dedicated to works from the Estate of Candice B. Groot and the Estate of Joan and Milton Baxt.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Looking ahead, we at Toomey & Co. intend to continue providing the service and expertise that our company’s clients are accustomed to, and auctions will continue to be conducted at the same Oak Park location where they have been held for the past 30 years.
However, as we maintain our existing relationships and high level of service, we are also focused on reaching out to more local and younger clients. The Chicago area has many practicing artists and creative professionals. We see these people as not only potential customers, but natural partners in sustaining and expanding local culture.
While some people might be intimidated by the auction process, the barrier of entry is relatively low financially speaking. You can get something nice for hundreds as opposed to thousands of dollars. As people progress in their careers and set up homes in Chicago or elsewhere, they do not have to limit themselves to purchasing furniture from IKEA or big-box retailers.
Right now, especially with the younger generation, there is a big emphasis on decorating sustainably and repurposing items. Thrift and vintage stores have obviously become more popular. Buying at auction lets people cultivate a unique style with high-quality, durable items that often have a fascinating provenance, that is, a rich history of ownership.
Toomey & Co. has experienced specialists who can advise clients on curating their collections and interiors with art and design in a personalized manner. Throughout the auction process, our staff are highly responsive to clients. There is a percentage added to each auction sale (called a ‘buyer’s premium) and we offer excellent service for that fee. After the sale, our in-house shipping department assists in coordinating timely delivery.
Contact Info:
- Address: 818 North Boulevard Oak Park, Illinois 60301
- Website: https://toomeyco.com/
- Phone: 708-383-5234
- Email: info@toomeyco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toomeyandco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toomeyandco/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ToomeyandCo
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/toomey-and-co-auctioneers-oak-park
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/toomeyandco/
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
