Toomey & Co. Auctioneers

Biography

EXPERTISE

Toomey & Co. Auctioneers is one of the premier specialty auction houses in the country and has been conducting auctions since 1987. In addition to carefully curated art and design auctions, we have featured collections from Governor Jim Thompson, selected works from the Roy and Sarita Warshawsky Collection, The Paul and Terry Somerson Collection, and, most recently, The Ira Simon Collection to benefit the Art Institute of Chicago, with many rare and notable examples of art and design from the Art Nouveau, Aesthetic Movement, Arts & Crafts, and Art Deco periods.

Our extensive knowledge of the industry, thorough attention to detail, and commitment to serving our clients are what distinguishes us. Steeped in the midwestern origins of Prairie School architecture, Toomey & Co. is a leading purveyor of fine art and design. From the Arts & Crafts movement and early art pottery to modern and contemporary art, our dedicated team brings a wealth of experience and attention to every work we handle. Whether a single work or a single-owner sale, we take pride in our focused approach and our dedication to crafting a quality experience for each of our clients and customers.

HISTORY

A renowned specialist in objects of the Arts & Crafts movement, John Toomey founded the auction house in 1987. With Lucy Toomey and John Walcher leading the company for the past several years, we have conducted more auctions than ever, set multiple price records, and nearly doubled sales annually since rebranding in 2018.

In 2020, Riley Humler, formerly of Humler & Nolan, joined Toomey & Co. with over 30 years of experience auctioning early 20th century art pottery and ceramics. He is currently the President of the American Art Pottery Association and has appeared as an appraiser on the beloved PBS show, Antiques Roadshow. In 1991, Humler curated and sold the Glover Collection, considered the most important sale of Rookwood pottery to date.

In the fall of 2022, Toomey & Co. relocated from historic Oak Park, Illinois to the city of Chicago, sharing office and gallery space with Wright (after merging with Rago, Wright, and LA Modern Auctions). This move consolidates our consignment, production, and creative efforts, allowing us to serve our clients more effectively from a centrally located, downtown site.