D. & J. Ritchie Auctioneers and Appraisers

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D. & J. Ritchie Auctioneers and Appraisers (later shortened to Ritchie's) was a Canadian auction house in Toronto in existence from the late 1960s[1][2] until 1995, when the auction house was sold.[3]

History[edit]

Ritchie's was founded by David F. Ritchie and his wife, Marlene M. Ritchie (née Archer). David Ritchie had been born and raised in Newcastle, New Brunswick and served with the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Air Force before attending the University of New Brunswick, graduating in 1948,[4] and Case Western Reserve University, Ohio, graduating in 1955. During his time at school, he had studied Metallurgical Engineering. After graduation, he worked as an assistant editor for Metal Progress magazine and moved back to Canada in 1961,[5] to become editor of Canadian Metalworking.[6]

Marlene Ritchie was born and raised in the small town of Laurelville, Ohio. In her early life, she taught in both the United States and Japan as well as becoming a registered nurse. After marrying she moved to Canada.[7] As the wife of Mr. Ritchie, she took over financial management and administration of the auction house after their first auction in 1970.[8]

Ritchie's auctioned a wide range of material, with particular interest being shown to Canadian Art. In 1981, it published a guide to Canadian art auction prices: 1975-80 for lots selling for $30 or more.[9] Some of Ritchie's most noteworthy auctions are detailed in Mr. Ritchie's book, Ritchie's: The Inside Story (2016). Besides auctions, it did appraisals, often free verbal estimates nationwide.[10] In 1995, the business was sold and given the name, Ritchies Auctioneers and Appraisers.[11] In 2002, Sotheby's Auction, founded in England in 1774 and with a Canadian operation which started in the late 1960s,[1] formed a partnership with Ritchies for its semi-annual Important Canadian Art auctions.[12] According to Alan D. Bryce's Art Smart, in 2006, in combination with Sotheby's, it had a market share of 23%.[13] Ritchies Auctioneers and Appraisers went bankrupt in 2009.[14][15] In 2011, the Ritchies name was purchased for a new auction house.[16]

Ritchie's catalogues can be found in the Toronto Reference Library.[17]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Adams, James (July 22, 2009). "Auction House Divorce Shocks Art World". Globe and Mail. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  2. ^ Ritchie 2016, p. 4.
  3. ^ Ritchie 2016, p. 233.
  4. ^ Ritchie 2016, p. 2.
  5. ^ Ritchie 2016, p. 3.
  6. ^ "David Fraser Ritchie". Globe and Mail. www.legacy.com. 2015. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  7. ^ "Marlene Ritchie". books.friesenpress.com. Friesen Press. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  8. ^ Ritchie 2016, p. 5.
  9. ^ Lerner & Williamson 1991, p. 23, #160.
  10. ^ "Buried 'treasures' lurking in the attic". Windsor Star. www.newspapers.com. April 24, 1982. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  11. ^ "A hammer that didn't fall". www.thestar.com. Toronto Star, Aug. 29, 2009. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  12. ^ Ritchie 2016, p. 219.
  13. ^ Bryce 2007, p. 90.
  14. ^ Adams, James. "Auction house Ritchies forced into bankruptcy". www.theglobeandmail.com. Globe and Mail, October 27, 2009. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  15. ^ Bradshaw, James. "Consignors still without money, items as Ritchie's doors remain closed" (PDF). webmailbell.net. Globe and Mail, Toronto, Nov 08, 2009. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  16. ^ "Revived Ritchies hopes to sparkle with giant gem". www.theglobeandmail.com. Globe and Mail, 2011. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  17. ^ "Catalogues of Auction sales in Toronto Public Lib". www.torontopubliclibrary.ca. Toronto Public Library. Retrieved February 4, 2021.

Bibliography[edit]

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