Job Description: Books and Manuscripts Department Support

Position Overview

• Location Type: Onsite (New York)
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Department: Books and Manuscripts
• Brief Description: Support the Books and Manuscripts Department in New York by coordinating and cataloguing sales, assisting with appraisals, and providing general administrative support.

Responsibilities

• Property Evaluation & Valuation:
  • Assist with the evaluation of works for auction and appraisal purposes.
  • Respond to estimate requests (phone, written, online).
• Consignment Management:
  • Work with specialists on valuations.
  • Follow up on properties and secure consignments for sale.
• Client & File Management:
  • Liaise with the department coordinator to maintain records of consignments, clients, and property files.
• Research & Provenance:
  • Conduct research to establish provenance, publication history, and exhibition history of consigned/appraised property.
  • Ensure accuracy and completeness for catalogues and presentations.
• Catalogue Writing & Editing:
  • Write and proofread catalogue notes and essays.
  • Maintain high quality standards.
• Catalogue Production:
  • Enter and edit catalogue text in ADM.
  • Liaise with support departments (Central Receiving, Photo).
  • Maintain shoot lists and assist with layout and ordering.
• Sale Coordination:
  • Coordinate and manage sale-related responsibilities, including condition reports, exhibition set-up, staffing, underbid recording, and bidding.
• Auction Promotion:
  • Promote auctions leading up to each sale date.
  • Conduct outreach and respond to potential bidders.
• Photography:
  • Take and send photographs of lots as necessary.

Requirements

• (Details regarding specific qualifications and experience are not provided in the job description.)

Company Information

Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. We promote access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels, including private sales, e-commerce, and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories, including Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, Design, collectible cars, and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable, and collaborative.

Application Instructions

• (Application instructions are not provided in the job description.)