http://www.ragoarts.com/catalogues_current.php

The latest auction at Rago Arts and Auction Center happened this last weekend - catalogues and results are posted at the link above.

Just curious if anyone here has attended one of these events and what stories they might have. Looking through the catalogues, past and present, is jaw dropping to say the least.

I've been to many of the Rago Auctions. The center is in a great warehouse style building in the wonderful antiquing town of Lambertville, NJ.

You really see the the best of the best at his auctions ... and the prices can be dumbfounding - its all the New York City buyers we used to say, but now it is because of the houses national reputation. The funny thing is that I have found that I could buy some of the lower end items at reasonable prices, because so many of the sellers are there for the highend.

Internet bidding has (unfortunately for the local bidder) somewhat dimmed the experience (like at a lot of auction houses.)

David Rago is of course the auctioneer at the auctions, and he is very much responsible for the electric atmosphere. Even before his Antiques Roadshow "stardom", his serious appreciations, professional manner, and comic asides really made him one of my all time favorite auctioneers.

I have sold items at Ragos and have bought more. The house is all the way professional, first rate. Unlike some houses, I have a great deal of trust when dealing with Ragos.

.. Scott

Sounds like a great experience, despite the absentee bidding stuff. Next question I guess, what is the quality of the catalogues like? I don't have any of Rago's but I have a couple from Treadway that are great quality, if you know these for comparison. I was thinking of picking up back issues for reference - yes, they have most of the past sales information on their website but you still have to click around alot, and it might not stay up forever, so maybe buying the catalogues is worth it.