At DOYLE, our business is personal. While our clients span the globe, we remain rooted in the relationships we build and the stories we tell about objects, people, family, and legacy. Bill Doyle, who founded the company in 1962 at 22, understood this better than anyone. His ability to connect people to their history helped shape DOYLE into a company that hears, respects, and celebrates the story of every object and client.
Bill Doyle was a storyteller. He could visualize generations of family trees and shared anecdotes that made people see themselves as part of a longer lineage. That ability to weave people’s stories into objects is something we carry forward today. The auction business, Bill believed, wasn’t just about selling—it was about discovery, joy, and fun. His excitement—like “a kid in a candy store”—infused DOYLE with palpable energy.
As DOYLE continues to grow, we honor the legacy of Bill Doyle by maintaining his cherished values of integrity, expertise and service. Under the leadership of Kathy Doyle, DOYLE was among the first auction houses to establish a robust online presence nearly thirty years ago, expanding our reach while staying true to the bespoke, human-centered approach at the heart of our business. Today, Laura Doyle leads the company as the second-generation female CEO of America’s largest women-owned auction house.
Under Laura Doyle’s leadership, DOYLE’s regional presence has expanded significantly with advisors nationwide and galleries in New York City, Palm Beach, Beverly Hills, Charleston, and Boston, providing an experience across the country that is uniquely DOYLE.
Through the years, DOYLE has been honored to manage the collections of iconic figures and estates that have shaped history and culture. These include the estates of Hollywood legends like Gloria Swanson, Bette Davis, and James Cagney as well as Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim, music greats like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington; and the onsite auction of fashion designer Oleg Cassini.
DOYLE has also handled notable auctions that capture the spirit of iconic New York institutions, such as the treasures from the Russian Tea Room, Maxwell’s Plum El Morocco and Elaine’s. Whether it is historic memorabilia, fine art, jewelry, couture, or rare books, our auctions reflect the legacies behind each collection. In addition, DOYLE works closely with prominent museums and institutions such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The National Gallery, and the Getty, providing individualized appraisal and auction services tailored to the needs of each collection.
As we look to the future, we remain grounded in the core values that have defined DOYLE since its inception: integrity, expertise, and a deep respect for our clients. We believe in the power of stories told by objects and the people who own them. Whether we meet you in one of our galleries, in your home, or through our online platform, our goal is to tell your story with care and respect.
As we continue to grow and evolve, we look forward to the new stories we’ll tell—together.