Services

Private Sales & Consignments

Bringing exceptional works to market with discretion, whether through a targeted private sale or a full consignment mandate.

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Helmut Newton — Security, New York III, 1976

Private sales and consignments are two distinct but closely related routes to market, defined by the same commitment to discretion, expertise, and outcomes that serve the work as much as its owner. Whether placing a significant piece privately or bringing a consignment to market through a considered strategy, every engagement is handled personally, informed by a deep understanding of current conditions, collector demand, and the long-term integrity of the transaction.

What We Do

Private Placement

We introduce works to the collectors and institutions best positioned to receive them, through direct relationships built over years.

Consignment Strategy

Every consignment calls for a considered approach to timing, positioning, and exposure. We develop a tailored strategy for each engagement, advising on the most effective route to market and the conditions most likely to produce the best outcome for the work and its owner.

Pricing & Strategy

We position and price each work using current market data, recent comparable sales, and our reading of active collector demand, establishing a price that reflects both the standing of the work and the objectives of its owner.

Our Approach

Whether a work is placed privately or consigned to market, introductions are made selectively and with purpose. Exposure is calibrated to the client’s objectives rather than pursued broadly, with careful attention to timing and positioning, and always with a long-term view of how each decision sits within the arc of a collection.

Why Ithaca

We have operated on both sides of the market, as collectors and as advisors. Our understanding of what motivates serious buyers and what matters most to sellers is built from years of genuine participation across photography, modern, post-war, and contemporary art.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about private sale

In a private sale we work to identify and introduce a specific buyer for your work through our network. In a consignment we take on broader responsibility for bringing the work to market over an agreed period. We advise on which approach best serves the work.

Yes. We advise buyers and sellers with equal commitment, sourcing specific works and advising on acquisitions that serve longer-term collecting goals.

This depends entirely on the work, the market, and your objectives. We advise on the right level of exposure, whether targeted private introductions, measured broader exposure, or a combination of both.

Yes. Private sale is often the preferred route for works with auction histories, removing the risk of further public exposure and allowing for a more considered, controlled placement.

Pricing is established in consultation with the seller, informed by current market data, recent auction results, and comparable private sales, with complete transparency throughout.

Timelines vary depending on the work, current market conditions, and your objectives. We discuss timing and strategy at the outset of every engagement and keep you informed throughout.

Completely. All submissions and correspondence are handled in strict confidence at every stage of the process.

Speak With an Advisor

Every advisory relationship begins with a private conversation about your collection and your ambitions.

info@galleryithaca.com +1 917 890 2964

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