A Century of Auctions
In the past 100 years, Gardner Galleries have conducted thousands of successful auctions with many achievements and world record prices. Notably in 2011, the Captain James Wallis album of hand-coloured Australian engravings and watercolours, which was found in a Thamesford, Ontario estate residence and sold for an outstanding 1.8 million dollars.
Online auctions were first introduced in 2011 and are now conducted out of the newly renovated 407 Hamilton Road location in London. Along with 20,000 square feet of floor space, clients enjoy the location with easy access to the 401 highway, the large parking lot with free parking and loading area, everything located on one level and of course, the assistance from our staff.
Some major highlights over the years include an Arthur Elsley painting entitled "Blind Man's Bluff", sold for $350,000, a Simon Willard American tall case clock for $64,000 and a 1970 Jaguar E-Type 2+2 coupe for $110,800. Gardner's have also broken several Canadian art sales records including a Florence Carlyle painting for $115,000, an 8 1/2 x 10 1/2in A.Y. Jackson oil on panel for $160,000 and a Brian Jones acrylic on canvas for $38,000.
While the auction business has changed significantly the past century, the purpose of an auction has stayed the same since the times of the Roman Empire. With a new and improved website in 2023 and well over 30,000 registered bidders worldwide, Gardner Galleries now conduct over 150 auctions per year with 50,000 lots sold annually. The entire staff are proud to be the oldest auction firm in Canada under continuous ownership and look forward to another 100 years in business.
Chronicle of a fourth generation auction house
George Gardner
George Gardner held his first auction in London, Ontario in 1922. One of his early sales was selling horses for the City of London when they switched from horse-drawn to gas-powered trucks.
Some of his major auctions include Tecumseh House, at one time the largest hotel in the British Commonwealth, as well the contents of many of London's finest homes in the 1930's, during The Great Depression.
Jason Gardner
Shortly after serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force in World War II, George's son, Jason, became his partner in the business. When George Gardner passed away unexpectedly in 1952, Jason carried on as an auctioneer and appraiser.
He purchased his first permanent auction house at 2 Langarth Street West, London in 1960. He also sold for Fyfe's of Edinburgh throughout Canada and made international headlines, including Time Magazine, when he was hired by a Toronto syndicate to auction antiques from Castro's Cuba in the mid 1960's.
Grant Gardner
Grant Gardner, Jason's son, joined in 1975 and changed the direction of the business from a general auction company to one specializing in estate furnishings, namely antiques and fine art.
Some of Grant's major sales include the contents of Castle Kilbride in Baden, Ontario and the Dr. Alan Law estate of Toronto whose antique furniture collection realized over a million dollars. Today, Grant specializes in online jewellery and fine timepieces auctions.
Mark Gardner
Mark managed the Tuesday evening live auctions for many years and now runs monthly estate, decorative arts and Persian rug auctions, which attract a worldwide audience.
Mark is a graduate of Reppert School of Auctioneering and an accredited appraiser with CPA. His knowledge is vast and is often called upon by leading antique dealers and collectors.
James Gardner
A graduate of Reppert School of Auctioneering in 2002, James pioneered online art auctions in London, as well has handled collections of high value for estates and private individuals throughout Ontario.
After 20 years of working in the auction industry and being an accredited appraiser with CPA, James is best known as a Canadian and international fine art specialist.
Our Team
Auctioneers
Grant Gardner
Partner / Specialist in Jewellery & Timepieces
Mark Gardner
Partner / Specialist in Furniture & Decorative Arts
James Gardner
Partner / Specialist in Canadian & International Fine Art
Staff
Elizabeth Gardner
Accounting & Administration
Melissa Gardner
Client Services
Craig Snively
General Manager
Hilda Sass-Kortsak
Reception
Ava Kelly
Reception
Denise Krogman
Shipping & Receiving