About Us

Freeman's | Hindman was founded in 2023 by a team of experienced specialists who embrace tradition and innovation creating a truly client-centric auction house.

As America’s oldest auction house, Freeman’s has been an active part of the auction world and art market for nearly 220 years. Hindman, established in 1982, brings an expansive cross-country network, wealth of expertise, and strong relationships with fiduciaries nationwide to build a market-leading auctions and appraisals firm in Freeman’s | Hindman.

Conducting over 140 auctions annually in all major fine art and luxury collecting categories, Freeman’s | Hindman offers clients an exceptional experience across multiple selling channels and price points. We truly pride ourselves in presenting impressive single-owner collections and estates plus individual items at auction, leveraging the unique narratives associated with each.

Our unparalleled team of experts is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of ethics and integrity in the industry. Driven by this client-first approach, Freeman’s | Hindman’s provides collectors, fiduciaries, and institutions with a comprehensive suite of services including auctions, appraisals, private sales, and art advisory.

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. Our illustrious history, expertise in the market, dedicated team of specialists, and relentless focus on service have resulted in an international reputation for achieving exceptional prices and client satisfaction.

Founded in 1805 by Tristram Bampfylde Freeman in Philadelphia, Freeman’s remained in the hands of the Freeman family for six generations with landmark sales throughout its storied history. Innovation and adaptation to continuing market changes have long been the guiding principles of the business which, in 2016, transferred ownership to key Executive Directors. This team embarked on an ambitious growth strategy with the goal of elevating the brand both nationally and internationally. At the onset of 2020, Freeman’s opened its new flagship location in Center City’s prestigious 2400 Market Street and a second Philadelphia location at 1600 West Girard Avenue.

In 2023, Freeman’s and Hindman Auctions merged to form Freeman’s | Hindman. Leslie Hindman founded her eponymous auction house, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, in Chicago in 1982, and the firm grew to be one of the largest auction houses in the United States. In 2018, Hindman Auctions was formed through the merger of Leslie Hindman Auctioneers and Cowan’s Auctions (est. 1995 in Cincinnati). Hindman celebrated its 40th anniversary in October 2022. Today, due to our longstanding tradition of excellence and our global network of clientele, Freeman’s | Hindman is considered one of the leading auction houses in the United States.

Through continued investment in technology, Freeman’s | Hindman is proud to engage with an ever-expanding international art market to represent its active buyers and sellers. We reach unprecedented numbers of bidders around the world, drive new bidder acquisition, and optimize the results for our clients through a series of strategic partnerships with multiple online bidding platforms and paid media. More than half a million users view our website every year from 170 countries and territories globally.

Further, the strong relationships we maintain with our network across the globe, digital initiatives, and marketing alliance with UK-based Lyon & Turnbull led to bidders from over 70 countries to participate in our sales in 2023.

Freeman's | Hindman works closely with our colleagues at Lyon & Turnbull in London, Edinburgh, and Glasgow to promote objects and collections in Europe and beyond. We collaborate with their specialists to identify, target, and engage with new and existing buyers abroad. United by our shared commitment to customer service and special focus on single-owner collections, our two companies often share expertise and ideas, working in tandem to ensure that offered works generate the strongest interest and elicit the most competitive bidding.