With so much competition from auction houses like Sotheby's and Christie's, it's hard for other names to even be recognized, much less stay in business long enough to build up a solid reputation. However, the American auction house Skinner has managed to stand toe-to-toe with other giants of the industry and not only hold their own, but even out duel the heavy-hitters in many areas.

Skinner is on a relatively small scale, only dealing primarily in one state and in two locations, but their reach is expansive in terms of sales power. A lot of their business and reputation comes from the appraisals they perform of fine art and other items to be auctioned.

Skinner has reputable galleries in Boston and Marlborough, Massachusetts. The company is a full-service auctioneer, dealing in both antiques and fine art. Their auctions are held year round in both of their locations.

The brand also has specialty departments dealing in American Furniture and Decorative Arts, English and Continental Furniture and Decorations, Fine Ceramics, Couture, Jewelry, Fine Music Instruments, Dolls and Collectables, Science and Technology, Clocks, and American Indian and Ethnographic artifacts, plus various other departments.

Although relatively small when compared to larger auction houses, Skinner manages to cover a broad range and as far as America goes, Skinner is one of the premier auction houses. They offer collectors a chance to bid on a wide range of rare and collectable pieces.

The area of the country around Massachusetts is high-end by itself, and Skinner is able to pull in many more high-end clients from out-of-state and abroad. Skinner's pieces consistently sell at world-record-breaking prices. For example, in 1997, Skinner set a new world record for a painting sold at auction when Fitz Hugh Lane sold a piece for $3.8 million.

Even the competition regard Skinner as one of the most reputable auction houses in the business. With so much competition brewing, especially in the states, it's imperative that Skinner's is a name that rings out and carries with it credibility.

To date, the company has managed to avoid the pitfalls that plague other establishments, like price-fixing scandals and fraud attempts. Since Skinner is a relatively small auction house, it's far easier to keep an eye on their operations. This has helped gain the brand even more trust.

Skinner has a history of dealing with various museums. They're considered one of the strongest museum partners in the world, and other institutions, like historical societies and educational institutions, join forces with Skinner in order to achieve their goals and push ahead in the business.

Skinner works closely with hundreds of curators and directors of museums, helping them to improve the quality of their goods and also their value. This enables the entire industry to remain relevant, and close-knit relationships always equate to honesty.

Robert W. Skinner Jr. founded Skinner in the 1960s. He believed that the New England area, with its rich history, would be a prime location for a fine arts auction house. By the 1970s, Skinner's vision had proven true and the company was on its way. It hasn't slowed down since.