How Auctions Work

The Voss auction room offers pieces that were worn, carried or signed by the artists themselves, consigned directly and documented before they are ever listed. This page explains what you are bidding on, how bidding runs, and what happens when the clock stops.

What is in a lot

Every lot page carries the same record: the show, tour or event the piece is tied to, the date and venue where we have them, how many times it was worn or used, whether it has been cleaned since, and the story in the artist's own words. Where a piece is signed, the listing states where and in what, and reproduces any inscription exactly as it reads. Condition is described plainly — stage wear, makeup transfer, repairs, missing elements — and photographed close up. What is disclosed on the listing is part of the piece; it is not grounds for a return.

Authenticity

Voss Events manages and produces for the artists whose pieces appear here. Each consignment comes to us from the artist or their management with a signed attestation of ownership and authenticity, and we keep that record on file. Every winning lot ships with a Voss Events certificate of authenticity that names the piece, the artist and the event it is tied to. Lots that carry a third-party or production-issued certificate say so on the listing, and that certificate ships with the piece.

Bidding

You need an account. Bidding is open to anyone signed in to a shop.vossevents.com account; create one at checkout or from the account link in the header. Your bids are tied to that account and you will be emailed when you are outbid.

Every lot has a clock. The opening bid and the closing time are shown on the lot page, along with the minimum increment for the next bid. Bids are binding once placed.

Late bids extend the close. If a bid arrives in the final minutes, the closing time is pushed back so other bidders have a fair chance to respond. A lot is never lost to a last-second refresh, and it does not close until the bidding has actually stopped.

Reserve. Some lots carry a reserve — a confidential minimum set by the artist. If the reserve has not been met, the lot page says so. If bidding closes below the reserve, the lot does not sell.

Buy it now. Where the artist has agreed to one, a lot shows a buy-it-now price. Paying it ends the auction immediately and the piece is yours.

When the auction closes

The highest bid at the close wins, provided any reserve has been met. The winner is emailed and a checkout button appears on the lot page for their account. Payment is due within 48 hours of the close; after that the piece is offered to the next-highest bidder or relisted, and repeat non-payment means we will decline future bids from that account.

Prices are in US dollars. Bidders paying in another currency see their bid converted at the store's current rate; the winner is the highest bid in US dollars at the close.

Shipping

Pieces are held by the artist until the auction closes, then shipped within a few business days of payment using tracked, insured carriage. Oversized or fragile lots — full garments, framed pieces, props — are packed accordingly and shipping is quoted on the listing. Lots marked for international shipping ship worldwide; duties and import taxes are the buyer's responsibility. Because each piece is unique and every flaw is disclosed in advance, auction lots are final sale.

Charity lots

Where an artist has chosen to direct part or all of the proceeds to a charity, the listing names the organization and the share. Voss Events remits that share to the charity directly after payment clears.

Consigning a piece

The auction room is open to the artists Voss Events works with. If you are one of them and have a piece you would like to offer, your management contact can send you the intake form.

Questions about a specific lot? Use the contact page and include the lot title.