PALM BEACH, FL.- Bonhams announced the appointment of Jon King as Director of Florida Business Development. King, a Bonhams Vice President and previously Director of Business Development at Bonhams New York, will oversee all aspects of the auction business for the Sunshine State, including appraisals for consideration in auctions worldwide, comprehensive estate planning, international highlight exhibitions, lecture series and related events.

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the top three international fine arts and antiques auction firms, operating in 25 countries across five continents. With over 800 employees, the firm conducts more than 700 auctions annually in over 60 collecting categories, many more than any other auction house. With offerings from virtually all price points, and in categories as diverse as Motor Cars (an international record for any car sold at auction was recently set with a 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Formula 1 Racing Single-Seater selling for $29,000,000); to Russian Paintings and Works of Art (a painting by Nikolai Roerich, discovered in Michigan and offered in London, recently sold for $12,379,000, the highest price ever achieved for a painting in a Russian auction), and Jewelry (an exceptional Bulgari fancy deep-blue diamond ring, approximately 5.30 carats, selling for a world record $9,715,300).

Mr. King earned degrees in Art History and in European History at the University of California at Santa Barbara, and joined an international auction house in 1976, working in both Los Angeles and New York. In 1983, he joined Butterfield & Butterfield in San Francisco, rising to the position of Executive Vice President and Director of Museum Services. In 1989, he was named Director of Butterfield & Butterfield, Los Angeles, overseeing a staff of 60 and sales exceeding $35 million.

After the merger of Bonhams and Butterfield's, King rejoined the company in 2003, establishing the Bonhams New York office. He has been responsible for the continuing development of the brand throughout the eastern half of the United States. Florida has always been a key aspect of his expansion goals. Earlier this year Bonhams held its inaugural auction in Florida - the Boca Raton Concours d'Elegance auction of Collectors' Motor Cars & Automobilia. The auction was sold at an impressive 85% by lot, with sales totaling close to $4 million and setting several international auction records.

Originally a native of Los Angeles, King has lived part-time in Florida for over 10 years. He first visited the state in 1997, preparing the Estate of Barbara Deering Danielson in Coral Gables for auction. King's team discovered an unsigned John Singer Sargent painting in the collection that would go on to sell for over $350,000, although another auction house had valued the same picture for a mere $100. Since that time, King has been steadily increasing Bonhams presence throughout Florida, bringing collections to auction from Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Orlando, Sarasota and Naples and everywhere in-between.

“I am constantly impressed with the depth of knowledge and passion of Florida collectors; nothing makes me happier than bringing those collections to the attention of the global marketplace,” said King. “Florida has always been important to Bonhams, and now, as a full-time resident, I am even more dedicated to developing business and building lasting relationships throughout the state.”