One long time sports memorabilia auction house is buying another.
Robert Edward Auctions announced Monday afternoon that it had acquired Maryland-based Huggins & Scott. The two companies will continue to operate independently, with Huggins & Scott as a wholly owned subsidiary of Robert Edward Auctions (REA).
“We’re extremely excited to add Huggins & Scott to the Robert Edward Auctions team,” stated REA President Brian Dwyer. “They’ve developed a very loyal following over their many years in business, and we’re looking forward to building upon their reputation as a trusted destination for collectors.”
Founded by Bill Huggins in 2002, Huggins & Scott conducted over 100 catalog auctions during his tenure. Huggins passed away unexpectedly in February, leaving a hole in the hobby and in the day-to-day operations of Huggins & Scott.
New Jersey-based REA says the move “will enable Huggins & Scott to continue to deliver service to clients and produce auctions as it would under Bill’s guidance while also leveraging the tremendous network and resources of REA.”
“As a family, we’re thrilled to see our dad’s legacy carried on through this acquisition,” remarked Bill’s son, Ricky Huggins. “This was something that he talked about being a positive move for the company well before his unfortunate passing. We’re happy that REA will work with the hardworking and dedicated employees of Huggins & Scott to do the work that dad loved so much for his clients.”
Ron Oser, who worked alongside Huggins for nearly a decade, will assume the role of Vice President and Director of Consignments for Huggins & Scott. Mathew Flores, the company’s longtime Director of Operations, will remain in that role and oversee day to day operations at the company’s Silver Spring, Maryland, headquarters. REA President Brian Dwyer will oversee the two auction brands.
The two companies are working on technological and operational upgrades during the transition phase. New features and consignment incentives including cash advance options are being planned for H&S customers. More details about changes to Huggins & Scott’s platform are expected to be announced in the coming days.
Dwyer told SC Daily the next H&S auction, set for July 21, will be conducted on REA’s website, with a new H&S website to be launched shortly.
“This brings together two companies with great reputations and decades of experience in our hobby,” Oser opined. “It’s an incredible opportunity for all involved, and we look forward to working with the REA team to achieve even greater success for Huggins & Scott, its clients, and to honor Bill’s many years of commitment to his work and his friends in the collecting community.”
It’s the latest in a string of expansion efforts by REA. Once home to a single springtime catalog auction, the company added a Fall auction in 2013, a third catalog auction in 2019 and then in 2021, “Encore” auctions for generally lower cost items held in between the larger sales.
Some of the items in the upcoming H&S summer auction will be on display at the National Sports Collectors Convention, July 26-30.
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