Each Friday, Robbie Briggs, president and CEO of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty, writes about luxury, trends, business and more in the advertising pages of the Mansion section of The Wall Street Journal. Below is his letter of September 4, 2020.  From My Perspective The Warhol whisperer Let’s do some math. Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty was founded in 1960, offering the finest homes in North Texas. Sotheby’s, the auction house, was founded in 1744, offering the finest possessions in the world. Together, we’ve got almost 340 years of experience in quality, in trust, in things that last.

We’ve also got a unique connection: Charlie Adamski Caulkins, the head of the North Texas office of the world’s most famous auction house. Charlie is an art-world expert, not only the on-the-ground presence here for Sotheby’s but also an invaluable resource for North Texas collectors. Art, jewelry, wine: If it’s collected, Charlie is your go-to. “I love working with collectors,” she says, “whether it’s finding them that painting or diamond they’ve been searching for, or helping a family that just inherited an exciting object.” I asked Charlie to share some of her insider knowledge. How does someone start a collection? “Educate yourself. See as much art as you can, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Determine a budget. Stick to it and buy the best examples that fall into that budget. Discover what interests you — and then buy what you love.” How has the Internet changed the way people collect? “The web has made the art world more accessible. For example, Instagram has become a space for many artists to reach the public, in a way that wasn’t possible before. For me, I can see what is going on at art fairs on the other side of the globe and get a sense for the type of work that is being shown.” What price points can a collector find at Sotheby’s? “It’s the works selling in the millions that make the news, but it’s very possible to make great art, jewelry or wine purchases in the $5,000 to $50,000 range. For those, I would suggest exploring our online sales at sothebys.com. Sotheby’s has really innovated this year. The challenges posed have proven that the Internet is a vital tool for our clients to participate in the art world, when they cannot come to an auction or view a work in person. Sotheby’s online presence and technological capabilities have allowed us to remain connected to our clients as a continuous resource for art, jewelry, wine, decorative arts and more, at every price point imaginable.” So, if you’re thinking of adding to your collection — or starting one — or selling some art or jewelry, I’d be happy to connect you to Charlie. And, if you need a new place to hang that new art, well, I know about 400 expert real estate agents who could help you with that, too. Robbie Briggs President and CEO Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty rbriggs@briggsfreeman.com