The Bid Department offers various methods of buying at auction: in person, absentee bidding, via telephone and through the Internet. You will need to sign up for each auction or simply attend the sale if you plan to bid in person. New clients do not need to set up an account before bidding as one will be created for you upon initial registration.

Our specialists will provide a condition report on any specific work of art at the bidder’s request.
Payment information New York Auctions | PDF - 43K
Payment information London Auctions | PDF - 19K
Shipping form | PDF - 25K

In Person
If you are able to attend the auction, you may bid in-person. Please register for a paddle in advance by filling out our pre-registration form.
Registration form New York Auctions | PDF - 24K
Registration form London Auctions | PDF - 25K
Registration form Geneva Auctions | PDF - 29K

Absentee and Telephone Bidding
If you cannot attend an auction and wish to bid, you can complete the bid form for either Absentee or Telephone Bidding and fax completed form to +1 212 924 1749. For Absentee Bids, Phillips de Pury & Company will execute your bid(s) and attempt to purchase the lot for you at the lowest price, allowing for other bids and reserves. For Telephone Bids, we will contact you during the sale, and a saleroom representative will bid live with you over the phone. All bid amounts do not include the Buyer’s Premium and any applicable sales tax.
Bid form New York Auctions | PDF - 39K
Bid form London Auctions | PDF - 44K
Bid form Geneva Auctions | PDF - 36K

Online Bidding
Phillips de Pury & Company works closely with LiveAuctioneers and eBay to allow you to submit absentee bids prior to the sale or  bid live during the action.  Online bidding may not be available for every sale.  Please register with eBay for each auction that you are interested in and a confirmation email will follow if you are approved.  Please allow at least 48 hours to process your on-line bidding application.

To leave an absentee bid, please click on the link “Bid online absentee” or to bid live select “Bid online live” under BIDDING at the bottom of the lot details page.

Buyer’s Premium
This is the amount of money automatically added to the “hammer price” and paid by the winning bidder.
• United States (USD): (i) 25% of the hammer price up to and including $20,000, (ii) 20% in excess of $20,000 up to and including $500,000 and (iii) 12% thereafter, plus applicable taxes.
• United Kingdom (GBP): (i) 25% of the hammer price up to and including £25,000, (ii) 20% in excess of £25,000 up to and including £500,000 and (iii) 12% thereafter, plus any VAT, is payable on each Lot sold. Any purchaser of a lot to which Artist’s Resale Right applies will be charged an amount equal to the applicable resale royalty, which will be added to the relevant invoice.
• Switzerland (CHF): (i) 25% of the hammer price up to and including CHF 20'000, (ii) 20% in excess of 20'000 up to an including CHF 600'000 and (iii) 12% thereafter.

In addition, the buyer must pay all applicable local, state or federal sales, use and excise taxes.

The Reserve
Most lots sold at auction are subject to a reserve, which is the lowest price the consignor will sell the property for. The reserve price is confidential information and only known to the consignor and Phillips de Pury & Company. Lots offered with no reserve are noted in the catalogue with a symbol after the estimate price. The reserve price is fixed below or at the low estimate cited for the lot in the catalogue.

Buyers are urged to read Phillips de Pury & Company's Terms and Conditions of business prior to bidding at any auction. Particular attention should be given to any symbols displayed next to a lot in the catalogue. An explanation of all symbols is always printed in the Terms and Conditions of business.