Bonhams, the world’s third largest auction house, have appointed David Kelsey as the company’s representative in Montreal with immediate effect. He joins Bonhams Canada which has been headed by Jack Kerr-Wilson for the past five years.

David Kelsey started his art and auction career in the family business at Jacobys in Montreal, and became company President in 1975. Acquired later by Phillips in London, England, Jacobys became Phillips first overseas location.

In 1982 Kelsey joined Pinneys in Montreal and ran the Canadian and European art department. Over the next 23 years he was instrumental in consigning some of Montreal’s finest estates including both Timmins-Raymond homes located in Montreal’s famous “Golden Square Mile.” He was also instrumental in procuring several Canadian auction records for the company, the most notable of which was the highest price paid at auction in Canada for a bronze sculpture. The sculpture was Marc Aurele de Foy Suzor-Cote’s masterpiece Le Haleur de Bois which sold for $149,500.

In 1997 the Canadian government asked David Kelsey, a member of the American Appraisers Association,  to appraise the Peter Winkworth Collection of over 3,000 prints, watercolours and oil paintings that detailed the art history of Canada prior to Confederation (1867). This high profile and unique collection is now housed at Canada’s National Archives in Ottawa.

Jack Kerr-Wilson speaking about the appointment says: “David has been a colleague and friend since 1976. He brings with him unrivalled expertise in Canadian art as well as great knowledge of the broader reaches of the art market.”

Malcolm Barber, Bonhams Chief Executive in North America, comments: “We are delighted to welcome David Kelsey as our Montreal representative. This is a new appointment in the region and, given David’s local and international profile will doubtless increase our effectiveness in Canada.”

Kelsey says he is delighted to be part of the Bonhams team and is looking forward to putting together the company's first sale of Canadian art scheduled for this fall in Toronto.