Parke-Bernet Galleries

Description

In November 1937, forty former employees of the American Art Association founded the auction house Parke-Bernet. The firm was headed by Hiram H. Parke, with Arthur Swann and Otto Bernet serving as vice presidents. Following Bernet’s death in 1949, the headquarters moved to 980 Madison Avenue. Over time, Parke-Bernet became one of the most prestigious auction houses, and in 1964, when none of the founders were still alive, it was acquired by Sotheby & Co. Since then, the firm has been known as Sotheby Parke Bernet & Co., although it is commonly referred to as Sotheby’s (Norton, 1984).

Bibliography

• NORTON, Thomas (1984): 100 Years of Collecting in America: The Story of Sotheby Parke Bernet, H. N. Abrams, Nueva York.