Auction House Profile
Swann Galleries
Specialist · Founded 1941 · New York, United States
Swann Galleries is a New York specialist auction house founded in 1941, known for works on paper, rare books, photographs, posters and African-American fine art.
Auction Highlight
Hughie Lee-Smith — Ball Player
Hughie Lee-Smith's Ball Player, painted in 1970, is one of the defining works of the artist's mature career. The painting depicts a young figure playing handball within the quiet, desolate urban landscapes that became Lee-Smith's hallmark. Widely exhibited and formerly part of the artist's own collection, the work illustrates Swann Galleries' long-standing leadership in African American Art. Offered in the April 2024 African American Art sale, Ball Player achieved US$341,000 and exemplifies Swann's commitment to presenting culturally significant works that have shaped American art history.
View the Swann lot ↗Current sales
0
Upcoming sales
9
Founded
1941
Last sync
20 Oct, 11:08 am
Overview
Swann Galleries is a specialist auction house founded by antiquarian book dealer Benjamin Swann in New York in 1941. Its first catalogued auction, devoted to rare and antiquarian books, was held on 27 March 1942. George S. Lowry acquired the business following Benjamin Swann’s retirement in 1970. Under the Lowry family, Swann expanded beyond books into photographs, autographs and manuscripts, prints and drawings, vintage posters, maps, illustration art and other works on paper. Swann is particularly significant for establishing regular dedicated auctions of African-American Fine Art in 2007, becoming the first major auction house to develop an ongoing programme in this field. Unlike the large international houses, Swann remains centred on a single New York saleroom and maintains a clearly defined specialist identity.
Specialties & Departments
Specialties
Departments
Featured Upcoming Lot
29 Oct 2026
Mary Cassatt (1844-1926)
Maternal Caress, 1890-91.
Estimate: USD30,000–50,000
Old Master Through Modern Prints - Sale 2754 · Lot 115
Auction Calendar
north americaGCR monitors public auction calendars and documented auction catalogues published by this auction house. Current and upcoming sales are presented chronologically, with their market categories shown for context.
Upcoming Sales (9)
Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books - Sale 2760
Auction Archive
Past Sales
Recently completed auctions from Swann Galleries. When available, GCR displays the official sale cover or a representative documented lot.
15 Oct 2026
Results processingFine Photographs - Sale 2752
The auction has closed. Results are currently being processed.
Cover image from a representative lot by Ansel Adams. Moonrise · Lot 32
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08 Oct 2026
Results processingAutographs - Sale 2751
The auction has closed. Results are currently being processed.
Cover image from a representative lot by (American Revolution.) John Hanson. Partly-printed Document Signed · Lot 14
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01 Oct 2026
Results processingAfrican American Art - Sale 2750
The auction has closed. Results are currently being processed.
Cover image from a representative lot by Elizabeth Catlett (1915-2012) · Lot 29
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24 Sept 2026
Results processingThe New York Sale - Sale 2749
The auction has closed. Results are currently being processed.
Cover image from a representative lot by Berenice Abbott · Lot 106
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Recently Closed
19th & 20th Century Art - Sale 2748
17 Sept 2026
Results processing19th & 20th Century Art - Sale 2748
The auction has closed. Results are currently being processed.
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13 Aug 2026
Results processingLGBTQ+ Art, Material Culture & History - Sale 2747
The auction has closed. Results are currently being processed.
Cover image from a representative lot by Hugh Steers · Lot 338
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Saleroom
Locations
New York
United States
Headquarters, galleries and saleroom at 104 East 25th Street
Timeline
Antiquarian book dealer Benjamin Swann establishes the auction house in New York.
Swann holds its first catalogued auction on 27 March, offering rare and antiquarian books.
George S. Lowry acquires the business following Benjamin Swann’s retirement.
Swann begins expanding its specialist structure beyond books, developing departments devoted to photographs, autographs, prints and drawings, and vintage posters during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Nicholas D. Lowry joins Swann to lead its Vintage Posters department.
Swann establishes an annual auction devoted to magic, traditionally held around Halloween and the anniversary of Harry Houdini’s death.
Nicholas D. Lowry becomes president of Swann Galleries.
Swann launches its African-American Fine Art department and begins holding regular dedicated auctions in the category.
Swann marks 75 years since its first catalogued auction.
Swann marks the 80th anniversary of its first catalogued sale.
Market Notes
Sale formats
References
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