Swedish Group Barnebys Acquires the World’s Leading Online Art & Collectables Appraisals Service - 'Value My Stuff'

Christopher Barnekow, CEO and Founder of Barnebys. Says: "Our vision is to lower the entry barriers to this fantastic market, making it easier for the users to get knowledge and market oversight as well as for the auction houses or art and antiques dealers to reach new and greater customer groups. The acquisition of ValueMyStuff is an important step in securing our service offer, as reliable and independent valuations are fundamental for the market to work." This is a unique opportunity to further strengthen one of the key components in Barnebys eco-system, providing a service for every user in the market. Barnebys offer provides an overview on the market, an archive with 80 million sold items sorted in the same categories, as well as online and individual and independent appraisals. The information can be used in preparation of sales, for insurance purposes or as financial securities. The Barnebys service also assists with one of the most challenging parts of the auction houses basic business - getting consignments and the promoting the inflow of objects for sale.

"We see growing need from individuals as well as from auction houses around the world wanting easy and quick valuations for their items by competent experts. Art market reports in the press show that currently under 5% of people use auctions to trade in the secondary market. We expect that figure to double within the next ten years," says Christopher Barnekow.

Patrick van der Vorst, CEO of ValueMyStuff comments: "I am delighted that Barnebys has acquired ValueMyStuff. I have been watching the rise of Barnebys in the art space over the past nine years and am very pleased to be a shareholder in their company and to assist them in an advisory capacity going forward."

ValueMyStuff is the world's No.1 Art & Antiques appraisal website. The website now has over 500,000 users and provides customers with online valuations of their art, memorabilia, wine, watches and any other assets in over 48 collecting categories. Founded in 2010 by Patrick van der Vorst, ex Director of Sotheby's Europe, the website is powered by a team of 62 experts who worked formerly for Sotheby's, Christie's and Phillips, thus guaranteeing the highest standard of art valuations. Often described in the press as 'the Antiques Roadshow online'.

Barnebys Group is the world's leading search service for arts, design, antiquities and Collectibles and was founded in 2011. Other recent acquisitions are also US-based, namely Simple Auction Site and Collectors Weekly.

Find out more at Barnebys website: 
http://www.barnebys.co.uk