Freeman's
The oldest auction house in the United States, now combining Freeman's of Philadelphia, Hindman of Chicago and Cowan's under one name, with about 140 sales a year. What it sells, how buying works there and what it costs, with a straight link to the house.
- Founded
- 1805
- Based in
- Chicago
- Sales a year
- About 140
- Buyer's premium
- 28%
Go to Freeman's →How buying worksFees
About Freeman's
Freeman's traces its start to 1805, when Tristram B. Freeman was appointed auctioneer in Philadelphia. In January 2024 it merged with Hindman, the Chicago house founded in 1982, and traded as Freeman's | Hindman until November 2025, when the combined Freeman's, Hindman and Cowan's brands became simply Freeman's.
It now holds about 140 auctions a year in 52 collecting categories, from American furniture and fine art to books, jewelry, watches and historical Americana, with auction rooms in Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, Cincinnati, Denver and Palm Beach. Combined sales reached $119 million in 2025, including gloves Abraham Lincoln carried on the night of his assassination, which sold for $1.5 million.
What Freeman's sells
How buying works at Freeman's
- Make an accountBidders must be 18 or older and keep a valid credit card on the account. Register for each sale, ideally 24 hours ahead. First-time bidders may be asked for ID.
- Choose how to bidBid live online on freemansauction.com, in the Freeman's app for iPhone, by telephone for higher-value lots, with an absentee maximum, or in person. LiveAuctioneers, Bidsquare, Invaluable and Artsy also carry its sales.
- Add the costsThe buyer's premium is the same whether you bid in the room, by phone or on Freeman's own site. Third-party platforms add their fee on top. Sales tax is extra.
- Pay within 7 business daysWire, ACH, bank check, money order and cards (with limits and fees) are accepted.
- Ship or collect within 30 daysFreeman's works with the shipping company Arta and lists other shippers. Storage fees start after 30 days.
What it costs
Freeman's buyer's premium when you bid directly with the house:
| Hammer price | Buyer's premium |
|---|---|
| Up to $1 million | 28% |
| Over $1 million | 21% |
| Through a third-party platform | Plus that platform's fee |
Each band applies only to the part of the price inside it, so a $10,000 lot costs $12,800 before tax.
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UX Search is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Freeman's. Bidding, payment and delivery all happen on the house's own site under its own terms. Information checked October 21, 2026 from freemansauction.com (how to bid, payment and fees, press); fees and rules can change, so confirm them on the sale page.