Jim Julia, founder of the Fairfield, Maine firm, has sold the business to Dan Morphy after discovering his wife has a terminal illness. He will continue to work as a consultant.
Julia said: “Selling my company to Dan is a great relief. It now has removed all of my responsibilities in regards to auctions and overseeing the management of a valued team. Now [my wife] Sandy and I can focus completely on each other.”
The two firms have worked together before and in 2015 Morphy bought the antique advertising, toy and doll division from Julia.
Morphy, which operates in Denver, Pennsylvania and Las Vegas, has been one of the fastest growing auction houses in north America and reported annual sales of $35m in 2017. James D Julia’s sales this year totalled $43m, making the combined firms one of the largest regional auction houses in north America.
"Undisputed reputation"
Morphy said: ““I have literally spent all my life watching and learning from Jim. With nearly 50 years in the industry, Jim has an undisputed reputation and I admire and will emulate his business approach towards his clients and employees. It is an honour and privilege to have this new association with someone I have considered to be a mentor and leader in the industry.”
Julia’s father Arthur Julia, who died in February 2017, began an auction firm in the 1960s in Maine and Jim bought the business in the 1970s. It now comprises three divisions: antique firearms; lamps and glass; and fine jewellery, Asian art and antiques.
