Freeman's

US auction house Freeman's was founded in Philadelphia in 1805 and is America’s oldest auction house. The company remained in the hands of the Freeman family for six generations until a management buyout in 2016. 

The firm later merged with Hindman, another well established auction house founded by Leslie Hindman in Chicago in 1982. The first sales under the Freeman's Hindman banner took place in early 2024 and the firm now has multiple salerooms and regional offices across the US.

In 2025, the brand reverted to Freeman's.


Charles Édouard Delettrez

International hires and expansion – the latest updates from auction houses and advisory firms

20 November 2025

Our latest selection of moves, appointments and industry developments in the world of art and antiques

Cesare Dandini’s St John the Evangelist

Cesare Dandini’s saintly figure brings trans-Atlantic bidding battle

14 November 2025

On the same day that Freeman’s Hindman announced it would rebrand simply as Freeman’s, the firm held a $2.5m two-part sale of Old Masters and 19th century European art.

Alyssa Quinlan

Major auction house rebrand and a round up of the latest Movers and Shakers

05 November 2025

An update on news across the world of art and antiques from auction houses to dealers.

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Aronson sets the scene for a surprise dramatic bids battle

06 October 2025

American actor, singer, dancer, director, and photographer Joel Grey (b.1932) is perhaps best known for his portrayal of the master of ceremonies in both the Broadway and film versions of the musical Cabaret.

Augsburg ring

Surprise: gold, jewelled and enamelled ring reveals hidden detail

18 August 2025

The latest Collector’s Cabinet auction at Freeman’s Hindman in Chicago included this remarkable gold, jewelled and enamelled ‘surprise’ ring.

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Freeman’s Hindman holds auction to benefit the charity of The Winter Show

14 August 2025

The Hampton’s Design Edit, a timed online auction from US auction house Freeman’s Hindman, is underway, raising money for East Side House.

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Works of Confucius with French royal twist

07 July 2025

A foundation document of Western sinology appeared at Freeman’s Hindman (28% buyer’s premium) in Chicago.

Landseer landscape

Landseer view of a loch without animal life brightens US auction

07 July 2025

British artist famed for The Monarch of the Glen also painted landscapes for his own pleasure

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Chinese ‘aubergine’ cup ascends well above estimate

26 May 2025

Guided at $60,000-80,000, a Yixing stoneware ‘aubergine’ cup was the breakout star of Freeman’s Hindman (26% buyer’s premium) Asian Works of Art sale in New York, held during the Spring 2025 Asia Week.

Abraham Lincoln gloves

Record for Lincoln memorabilia as bloodstained gloves take $1.2m

23 May 2025

A consignment of historic material relating to Abraham Lincoln drew extensive interest at Freeman's Hindman in Chicago on May 21. The sale included a pair of the gloves that posted an auction record for any artefact related to the US President.

Abraham Lincoln's gloves

‘One of the most important Lincoln collections ever brought to market’

19 May 2025

Auction house Freeman's Hindman is offering an extensive collection of historic materials relating to US President Abraham Lincoln.

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Key text by Locke takes $120,000

12 May 2025

A recent Freeman’s Hindman (28/27% buyer’s premium) sale in Chicago included a first edition of John Locke’s foundational text on civil society and the nature of government 'Two Treatises of Government….'

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'Hidden in a skirt' to escape the Nazis, now sold at auction

31 March 2025

Carl (1883-1946) and Rosa Askonas (1891-1980), were the toast of 1920s Austrian society.

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Man’s best friend is best seller as canine art stars in US saleroom

31 March 2025

The February 14 sale at Freeman’s Hindman (27% buyer’s premium) was dubbed Interiors featuring a Collection of Canine Art.

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Asian works bring thrills to Freeman’s Hindman debut at Asia Week NY

28 March 2025

Freeman’s Hindman is represented in 18 cities across the United States and operates six salerooms, more than any other auction house in the country.

Julia Fitzgerald Gray Background

Latest Movers & Shakers including a new marketing chief at Freeman’s Hindman

14 January 2025

The latest jobs moves and appointments across the world of art and antiques

Daguerreotype

First known ‘romantic’ photograph of an interracial couple in the US comes to auction

03 October 2024

On October 26, Freeman’s Hindman in Cincinnati will offer what is believed to be the first American photograph of a romantically posed interracial couple.

Bastille sketch

Contemporaneous sketch of the demolished Bastille makes $1.6m at Freeman’s Hindman

10 September 2024

A sketch which was given by the Marquis de Lafayette to the first American president George Washington sold for $1.6m (£1.22m) at an auction in Philadelphia earlier today.

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Album evokes memories of Ulysses S Grant

02 September 2024

The top lot in the American Historical Ephemera and Photography Online sale at Freeman’s Hindman (27/21/15% buyer’s premium) in Chicago was an album published in 1886 to mark the death of President Ulysses S Grant.

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Huntsmen vase rides to over 40 times estimate

05 August 2024

This unusual famille rose ‘cong’ form vase is finely painted with scenes of huntsmen, two with camels and two on horses.

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