Auction Houses Rago/Wright, Toomey & Co. Merge
Toomey & Co. will keep its name but relocate from the Illinois suburb of Oak Park to Rago/Wright’s Chicago headquarters.

Toomey & Co. will keep its name but relocate its office and galleries from the Illinois suburb of Oak Park to Rago/Wright’s headquarters in Chicago this fall.
Founded in 1987, Toomey & Co. specializes in early 20th century and modern design, fine art, jewelry, silver, and timepieces.
“The business I began 40 years ago has evolved significantly in the last four decades, and we’re proud to be embarking on an exciting new chapter, which we are confident will benefit our brand as well as the industry and its clients,” said President John Toomey.
“Joining forces with Rago/Wright expands our ability to serve our clients, extends our competitive advantage, and positions us for future growth,” he said.
John Toomey is a specialist in objects of the Arts & Crafts Movement while David Rago, a partner at Rago/Wright, is an authority in 20th century decorative ceramics and design.
The partnership “perfectly complements Wright’s focus on Modern design, strengthening the combined brands’ ability to offer strategic opportunities for buying and selling works from a wide range of eras and movements,” said the companies.
Toomey & Co.'s Riley Humler, a specialist of early 20th century American ceramics and art pottery and president of the American Art Pottery Association, will also join the newly merged team.
“Joining forces with John Toomey and Riley Humler is a decades-long dream,” said Rago. “With this merger, we are launching an American Arts & Crafts team unlike any other in the industry.”
Lucy Toomey, CEO of Toomey & Co., and John Walcher, vice president and senior specialist, as per their LinkedIn profiles, will remain in their roles.
Rago/Wright’s Richard Wright will continue to serve as CEO of the combined company.
Last summer, LA Modern Auction also merged with Rago/Wright. The four auction houses under one umbrella will share technology, expertise, and marketing efforts, said Rago/Wright.
“Through the merger with Toomey & Co., we are delivering on our vision to combine the strongest independent auction houses with a shared database and web platform,” said Wright. “Our combined expertise, client service, and technology is unrivaled.”
The first post-merger Toomey & Co. auction is set for October.
The Latest

The “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.

The Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.

Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

In addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.


The “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.

The seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

The New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.

The trade-only event will host its debut fair in the Emerald City later this month.

Its sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.

For its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.

The jewelry company is one of several contributing to relief efforts in the region after the recent floods.

Inspired by fiancé Sid Wilson’s nickname for her, the white and yellow diamond ring features a unique honeycomb design.

The brand is marking its 50th anniversary with a limited-edition bangle, high jewelry suites, new collections, and more.

Goldfarb said changes in the industry, coupled with his age and the updates needed to modernize his business, drove his decision.

Longtime LVMH executive Michael Burke has stepped into the role.

Central topics of next week’s event include climate action, labor rights, artisan preservation, and value retention in producing countries.

Vickie Rokkos has joined the jewelry company as its new national sales director of North America.

Turbulence will be the new baseline for luxury as it faces its biggest potential setbacks in 15 years, a recent report said.

Sponsored by Rio Grande Jewelry Supply

The “For the Love of Fruits” collection features five fruit pendants, each holding a different meaning.

Diamonds and crimes (some involving diamonds) top the list of National Jeweler’s most popular stories halfway through the year.

They discovered “The Dash Diamond,” named for their dog, at the Crater of Diamonds State Park earlier this month.

The “Les Pétales” collection imagines roses caught mid-bloom as a tribute to nature’s beauty.

Luxury brands charge thousands for their shoes and handbags. Jewelers pricing diamond products should take note, Peter Smith writes.

Rotenberg was an active member of the American Gem Society and an accomplished appraiser who also worked with therapy dogs at a hospital.