CHICAGO, IL.- Leslie Hindman Auctioneers has hired Gretchen Hause as a specialist and the director of its Fine Books and Manuscripts department. Prior to joining the team, Ms. Hause worked as an associate specialist in the Books and Manuscripts Department at Christie's, New York.

"I enjoyed my 7 years at Christie's immensely, as they afforded me the opportunity to work with wonderful colleagues, collections and collectors," said Gretchen Hause, Director of Fine Books and Manuscripts at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. "I¹m thrilled to join Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, and to return to Chicago, which has a wonderful community of bibliophiles and incredible research institutions and libraries. I look forward to continuing my relationships with clients as well as meeting new clients and collectors."

Ms. Hause received a Masters Degree in English Literature from Loyola University Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude, in English Literature from Lycoming College. Ms. Hause spent numerous summers taking courses at the Rare Book School of the University of Virginia.

"My academic background is in literature, and I have taken both introductory and advanced courses in bibliography at Rare Book School, where I have also studied the history of bookbinding," said Hause. "I have experience handling and cataloging all types of books for sale, but my personal interests include literature, maps and atlases, travel and exploration, botany, science and medicine, and Chicago history."

Ms. Hause has also worked as a part-time instructor in the English department and an advisor to first and second year students at Loyola University Chicago.

"Gretchen's background is extremely thorough. Her impressive education and experience at Christie's will be of huge benefit to our clients," said Leslie Hindman, President and CEO.

The Fine Books and Manuscripts department is currently accepting consignments for its September auction. Gretchen Hause can be reached at gretchenhause@lesliehindman.com or at 312.334.4229.