Former Wine Director for Christie's and Phillips Launches Own Auction House

Peter D. Meltzer
Posted: July 24, 2001

Edward Brooks, who has been the director of the North American wine departments for both Christie's and Phillips auction houses, has formed a new live-auction establishment for fine and rare wines. In addition to holding wine sales, Chicago-based Edward Roberts International Ltd. will offer curatorial, appraisal and private consultation services to individuals and institutions, as well as a range of educational seminars and tastings. Auction wines will be stored in temperature- and humidity-controlled facilities provided by Fine Vines in Melrose Park, Ill. Brooks expects his inaugural auction to be held at The Union League Club of Chicago on Nov. 10. For more information, Brooks can be reached at ebrooks@eriwine.com.

In other changes at prominent auction houses, Christie's New York has appointed Richard Brierley as head specialist of its wine department. Before joining the auction house, Brierley was senior account manager for an online wine-trading company called Provenance Ltd., and from April 1997 to August 2000, he worked with Sotheby's wine department in London and New York. At Christie's, Brierley will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the entire New York wine department and will also focus on long-term strategies.

Butterfields, the San Francisco¿based auction house now owned by eBay, has appointed Burke Owens as a director and specialist for fine and rare wines. Owens had previously been the sommelier at Masa's restaurant in San Francisco and later a wine merchant for the Internet retailer Wine.com. Owens will work out of Butterfields' Los Angeles office and will also oversee the company's newly expanded Internet auction division.

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