Buying at auction is more than just a transaction; it's an opportunity to acquire unique items with history, character, and lasting value that you won't find in a retail store. Whether you are a seasoned collector, an interior designer, or a first-time buyer, our auctions provide direct access to curated collections of fine art, antique furniture, estate jewelry, and rare collectibles.
Bidding with Hughes is Simple.
Bid online during the auction, place an absentee bid before the auction starts, or bid in person or by phone at a live event.
In-house shipping and local pick up make it even easier.
Enter your contact information and you'd be eligible to register to bid. On the home page and click the LOG IN button on the top right-hand corner. Create a new account.
Create a Hughes Account to Bid
Register for Auction
Required for each auction, registration allows to you bid and keeps you updated on auction activity. Click Register on the auction page, or if the event is in person, at the event or preview.
Register to Bid for an Auction
Submit Bids or Bid Live
Once you have an account and are registered for an auction, you may place absentee bids before the auction starts or bid live during the auction.
Get Started Bidding
In Person
Most of our auction are online with a worldwide audience through simultaneous phone and online bidding. For in person live auctions, you can register at the event or pre-register on our website.
Get Started Bidding in Person
What You Can Find at Our Auctions
Our auctions feature a diverse and ever-changing inventory from estates and collections across California. We specialize in a number of key categories, ensuring a high standard of quality and authenticity. Explore some of our featured auction types:
Fine Art Auctions: Discover works from noted California artists, American Impressionists, and modern masters.
Furniture & Decorative Arts: Find signed designer pieces, timeless antiques, and unique decorative objects.
Estate Jewelry & Watches: Bid on vintage and contemporary jewelry, diamonds, and luxury timepieces.
Collector Vehicles: Acquire classic cars, vintage motorcycles, and other special-interest vehicles.
Types of Bidding
Live Online
To bid live in any auction online, click on the auction of interest, and register to bid in the auction. Once your registration has been approved, you may login on the day of the auction to follow along and place your bids online by clicking on the “Place Bid” button, which will surface at our standard bidding increments. Hughes Auctions allows you to browse upcoming sales, track, share or save your favorite lots, and bid live from your mobile devices.
Telephone Bid
Bidders may register telephone bid requests by logging into their account, registering to bid, and contacting our office at (626) 791-9600 to request phone bidding. Phone bidding must be requested and approved by the Friday before the auction date. On the day of the auction, a Hughes representative will call you approximately five lots before your item is scheduled to be sold. They will communicate to you the bidding activity and will relay your bids to the auctioneer at your discretion.
Absentee Bid
An absentee bid is a bid that is left in advance with the auction house for the auctioneer to execute on your behalf. It should be the highest price you are willing to pay exclusive of buyer’s premium and applicable sales tax. Absentee bids are always confidential, and bids are executed at the lowest price possible by the auctioneer according to reserves and competing bids. If there are tied bids, the bidder who registered first is given precedence. All absentee bids are time stamped. You do not need to be present or available during the auction to participate as an absentee bidder.
In-Person Bidding
Registration requires your full contact information, photo identification, credit card information, your signature and agreement to the Conditions of Sale. To place a bid, raise your paddle to the auctioneer for his or her recognition. When all of the bidding is completed, the auctioneer will give fair warning, sell the item to the final bidder and announce the price and successful paddle number. When you are finished bidding on the lots in which you are interested, please return your paddle to the front desk, examine your invoice and make arrangements for payment and pickup.
Fern Coppedge (1883-1951) Oil On Canvas "The Frozen Canal" SOLD $120,000
Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding bidding, we are available to assist.
The buyer's premium is the set percentage that the buyer agrees to pay based on the hammer price of the items. The Hughes buyer’s premium is 25% of the hammer price.
What bidding method is right for me?
Your bidding method may depend on a few factors. Bidding live either online or in-person is the best way to ensure that your competing bid wins the lot. Leaving an absentee bid is a great option if you can't be present during the auction or you have a maximum bid. Please call our office to discuss any additional questions you may have.
How do I register to bid live online?
Once you have an account with Hughes, you may register to bid live online in any auction by clicking on the auction of interest and requesting to register to bid in that auction. Once your registration has been approved, you may login on the day of the auction to follow along and place your bids online by clicking on the “Place Bid” button. You may bid on a web browser or your mobile device with the Hughes Auctions website.
Do I need to clean or organize my items before your consultation?
No, please don't! It's actually better for us to see the items in their original state. Part of our service is to handle all the sorting, organizing, and cleaning required to prepare for a sale. This allows us to identify valuable items that might be overlooked.
What happens to items that don't sell at an estate sale or auction?
We offer several solutions for unsold items. They can be donated to our partner charities like the Union Rescue Mission, included in a final cleanout service to leave the property empty, or in some cases, re-offered in a future auction.
