About Us
THE GALLERY IS OPEN
10am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm
Monday to Saturday
30 Museum Street – opposite the British Museum – London, WC1A 1LH
0207 637 3981 | [email protected]
We deal in British works of art from the Eighteenth to Twentieth Centuries.
The company was established in 1936 by Robert Abbott and Eric Holder. It is now owned and run by Tom Edwards. We publish a monthly ‘List’ of new stock and host regular exhibitions, so there is always plenty to see over the two floors of our gallery near the British Museum.
We also show at The British Art Fair, the London Original Print Fair, The BADA Art and Antiques Fair Rutland and Master Drawings New York.
CLICK HERE to receive email alerts when Lists are published and exhibitions announced.
THE LIST
The first of our famous Lists was issued in 1942. They are now published monthly, online, and introduce new works of art to our large stock. Each List includes a broad selection of oil paintings, watercolours, drawings and prints dating from the eighteenth to twentieth centuries.
CLICK HERE to receive email alerts when our Lists are published and exhibitions are announced.
WHO WE ARE
TOM EDWARDS FSA
Managing Director
I studied History of Art at the Courtauld Institute then spent a year as a porter at Bonhams Auctioneers. I joined Abbott and Holder in 2003. Philip Athill and I established the Abbott and Holder Joint Venture for special projects in 2008, and I became a Director of Abbott and Holder Ltd in 2012. In 2021, on Philip’s retirement, I became sole owner and Managing Director. I am a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Arts Scholars, a Council Member of the British Antiques Dealers Association and a Trustee of the Fine Arts Provident Institution. I have two young daughters, so am keen to spend every spare minute with them, my wife and dog. But whenever the opportunity presents itself, I am straight in the swimming pool …
Photography and Digital
James joined the company in 2010 as a General Assistant / Porter. He went to live and work in Canada from 2012 – 2014, but came back to us on his return to the UK. He was previously Gallery Manager, but is now responsible for all the photography and video content you see on the website. When not at work you wlll find James at Selhurst Park watching his beloved Crystal Palace.
Operations
Lewis joined the company in 2018 as General Assistant after studying Fine Art at Falmouth. Aside from helping run the gallery, where many of you will have met him, he is responsible for all operational aspects of the company, from managing logistics, supplies, ordering mounts and frames and generally helping to make sure our monthly Lists and Exhibitions are well prepared and appear on time! Lewis is a keen footballer, runner and cyclist.
Gallery Assistant
Pippa hails from Massachusetts but was brought up in Chicago. She joins us having just completed a Masters in History at the University of Edinburgh. While studying she worked part-time for Lyon and Turnbull auctioneers, as an auction clerk for Decoding Digital and as a Research Assistant
Deborah Miller Appraisals LLC in Chicago.
Accounts
Natalie joined the company in 1993. She worked at the gallery for many years, so plenty of you will know and recognise her. She returned to her native Edinburgh when her third child was born, but continues to look after all aspects of the company finances. Known for her sage advice as well as unbounding energy, when she isn’t crunching numbers you will probably find her with her family on the steep slopes of a Scottish Glen (probably crunching numbers as she walks).
Framing and Mounting
Mark joined the company in 1995 as our mount cutter. He took over making our frames in 2004. He moved to Dorset in 2002 and built a studio from where his beautiful, hand-made frames and mounts are driven to London once a month. Mark is a self-confessed Muso and accomplished guitarist.
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OUR HISTORY
Robert Abbott and Eric Holder wstarted dealing together in 1936. They issued their first ‘List’ in 1942 as a way of introducing and publicising new acquisitions. After World War II, Robert Abbott bought a large house in Castelnau Road that acted as both gallery and his home. The house, now famous in the history of collecting, became something of a Mecca for enthusiasts. The Partnership remained a family matter with the founder’s nephew, John Abbott, joined Eric Holder from 1971-81. In 1984 Philip Athill, who was already an Assistant, became a Partner. Philip Athill and John Abbott moved the company to Museum Street in 1987 and added Paper Conservation to the business. On John’s retirement in 2001 we became a Limited Company of which Philip Athill was Managing Director. Tom Edwards joined the company in 2003 having read Art History at the Courtauld Institute. He became a Director in 2012. On Philip Athill’s retirement in 2021, Tom Edwards became sole owner and Managing Director.
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