Capo Auction house in LIC - "Queens is the future"

Image source: Times Ledger – Michael Capo of Capo Auction

The Times Ledger recently wrote about Capo Auction, a second-market auction house that opened about two years ago, located in Long Island City near Sunnyside (36-01 Queens Blvd – GMAP). They “run monthly sales of fine antiques, furniture, paintings, silver and other collectibles” – the most recent one was just this past weekend.

They are about the only business of its kind in Queens these days – apparently many of the 20-something second-market auction houses that were found throughout the city have shut down, “disappeared.” The owner of Capo Auction, Michael Capo, believes the reasons for that include rent increases and “the change in the economics of requiring such a space as I have here.” His auction house is about 6,000 square feet in size.

He really loves what he does, and has sold items from places such as the Steinway Mansion. He enjoys “the hunt” – searching for and acquiring amazing items to sell at auction (sometimes he serves as the auctioneer for particularly high profile auctions). One of the most memorable sales for him was of the jewels formerly belonging to the Maharaja of Jaipur – Capo sold them in 2011 and said they were just incredible.

He also likes to donate proceeds from some sales to causes he feels passionate about. A portion of the proceeds from this past auction and December’s auction was given to the families and victims of the Sandy Hook/Newtown massacre via the Newtown Rotary Club’s Sandy Hook School Fund. In November, Capo also donated money to the Boys’ Club of New York to support Hurricane Sandy victims.

Capo Auction brings antique lovers to LIC [Times Ledger]