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Peter D. Gehres, new owner of Belhorn Auctions, cradles a choice Overbeck Pottery vase, which was exhibited at an American Art Pottery Association convention. Image courtesy of Belhorn Auctions.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (ACNI) – Auctioneer Peter D. Gehres has purchased Belhorn Auctions, which specializes in American art pottery as well as other forms of decorative art, coins and executive estates.
Belhorn Auctions conducts sales for the American Art Pottery Association, the Pottery Lovers Reunion and the Columbus Pottery Show & Auction.
“I’d been working as an auctioneer with Belhorn Auctions for several years and when the opportunity came up to buy the company, I did,” said Gehres.
Greg Belhorn, whose father, Steve Belhorn, founded the auction company in 1993, will serve as a consultant.
“I am grateful that Greg Belhorn will remain in an advisory role with the company and continue to oversee and direct our cataloging going forward,” said Gehres. “Steve and Greg Belhorn built a company on an appreciation for pottery and those who collect it. That passion will continue through the company.”
Gehres is a native of Van Wert County in rural northwest Ohio. Raised on his family’s farm, Gehres regularly attended auctions when he was a youngster.
“My first exposure to American art pottery was at a young age. My grandmother proudly displayed two Roseville Snowberry vases on a shelf above her dining room table,” said Gehres, who collects contemporary art pottery.
In addition to his new venture as owner of Belhorn Auctions, Gehres is an auctioneer, Realtor and appraiser with United Country/Gryphon Realty and Auction Group in Columbus.
Gehres is a graduate of Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and studies in Agricultural Engineering and Economics. He has earned the Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI) designation, which is the highest educational recognition in the auction industry. He has also earned the Certified Estate Specialist (CES) designation.
Gehres teaches at both the Ohio Auction School and Reppert School of Auctioneering. He has taught at the Certified Auctioneers Institute and has spoken at various state auctioneer associations and presented at the National Auctioneers Association Conference and Show. He has appeared on radio and TV promoting auctions and the auction method of marketing.
Gehres is the co-founder for The Super Auction, a biannual event that brings together auction companies from across the Midwest for an exposition of American Auctioneering. He is also executive director of the Auctioneer Channel, a video sharing, educational and networking website for the auction industry.
“Confidence is an auctioneer’s stock-in-trade, and buyers and collectors can rest assured that (Belhorn’s) high quality catalogs and descriptions will continue. Sellers can take trust in our past performance and longevity in the auction business,” said Gehres.
Gehres is married and resides in Hilliard, Ohio.
Belhorn Auctions’ next pottery auction will be held April 29 in conjunction with the American Art Pottery Association convention at the Sheraton Bucks County Hotel in Langhorne, Pa. The 300-lot auction will begin 4:30 p.m. Eastern.
