LONDON.- Matthew Haley has been appointed Head of Books, Maps and Manuscripts UK by
Bonhams, the international fine art and antiques auction house.
He has been based in New York for the past four years as a specialist in fine books but will now move back to the UK to take over the running of the London department.
Matthew is an experienced specialist with knowledge of European and North American markets for books, manuscripts, historical photographs, and space history artifacts.
Bonhams CEO for UK & Europe, Matthew Girling, comments: “We are delighted to have Matthew return to London to head this important department. It is always pleasing to have such a superbly qualified internal appointment. Matthew’s drive, expertise and entrepreneurial flair will help to build significantly on the success of the Bonhams Books, Maps and Manuscripts operation internationally.”
After completing an MA (Hons) in English Language and Literature at Lincoln College, Oxford University Matthew Haley joined the University’s Taylor Institution Library where he was the curator of several exhibitions of rare books and manuscripts.
In 2004 he joined Bonhams Book Department in London as a Specialist, and during his four years in London was responsible for negotiating the private treaty sale of a significant archive of royal photographs to an image library and a major 19th century photograph album to a UK museum.
Moving to New York in 2008 for Bonhams as a specialist in fine books, manuscripts and historical photographs he created Bonhams annual Space History Sale, adding $4.3m of turnover and attracting a wholly new client base interested in investing in space memorabilia. Bringing expertise in historical photographs he helped Bonhams US team raise turnover by over 50% from 2009 to 2011.
During his time in the US, Matthew has traveled widely in North America and spent 7 months working in Bonhams Los Angeles saleroom.
He has spoken at the Boston Athenaeum, the Forward Arts Foundation of Atlanta, Georgia, and the Long Island Book Collectors, and was guest auctioneer for the annual gala at Cape Cod Museum of Art in 2011. His interests include investing, literature and travel.
