It's a Family Affair - Main Auction Galleries

J. Karp at the microphone.

It's 10:30 a.m. on a Tuesday at Main Auction Galleries and J. Louis Karp, president and fourth generation auctioneer, takes the microphone.

"Welcome to Main Auction Galleries. The auction we've been doing for over a hundred years."

He explains the terms of the auction. No bid registration required. When you win a bid just give the clerk your initials. Checks, cash and credit cards accepted, however there is an additional 3% charge when paying by credit card.

Jay grabs the first box lot and begins the auction.

"What have we here? Oh look at this crap! Who would want to buy this stuff!? Can I have $5 to start the bid?" So the bidding begins - and so does the entertainment.

J. Louis Karp is not only known as one of the most highly respected and trusted auctioneers in the region, he also plays a bombastic, crotchety, sometimes raunchy character at the auctioneer podium. His son Jonas plays his straight man. The Regulars are used to it and even shout a few jabs back more often than not.

J. Louis Karp began his career as an auctioneer at the age of fifteen. He is the fourth generation of his family to run the business. Jonas, his son and partner, makes the fifth generation. And in spite of the comedy act and jabs, both father and son are highly knowledgeable, honest, genuine and generous.

Main Auction Gallery is a family affair. On this particular morning Jay's daughter-in-law and grandchildren have come to wish Popi (Jay) happy birthday and present him with a homemade banner which Jonas promptly attaches to the wall. Then we all sing happy birthday.

Looking west on Fourth Street.

Five generations of Karps have run this highly regarded auction house since 1870. Their employees are treated as family and it shows in their stellar customer service. And that tight knit family feeling extends to the Regulars who come to the weekly Tuesday auctions, which includes me and my husband. Main Auction is our standing weekly date.

The Tuesday Regulars are the family in the audience. The bidders and buyers. Many greet each other by first name. Some even have reserved seats. They examine the items displayed as they ask each other about their families and how their week went.

They come for a variety of reasons. Some own brick and mortar shops, some do business strictly online, some are high-end dealers. Some come for the free donuts in the morning, some come for the free pizza in the afternoon. And I suspect some come to get good deals on quality stuff for their downtown homes. Downtown Cincinnati is definitely experiencing a residential renaissance.

The Tuesday auctions run until 2:00 p.m. So if you're downtown on a Tuesday, Main Auction Galleries at 137 W. Fourth Street is definitely worth a peek. Pictures of items offered for auction are uploaded  to their website the Friday prior to each Tuesday auction. All lots are available for inspection prior to the auction all day Monday and Tuesday morning before 10:30 a.m.