The origins of Kilshaw’s Auctioneers can be traced back to Kendal, England where William Kilshaw started it all in 1790. During the reign of George III, a Kilshaw was pairing buyers with sellers of home furnishings, real estate, farm implements, and cattle. The Kilshaw’s have been selling in Canada since 1908, starting in Winnipeg.
When Gradwell Kilshaw first came west to Victoria, auctions were held right at the estate with house, property and contents sold to buyers gathered on the front lawn. In 1949, Gradwell Kilshaw opened the doors at our first Victoria location on Fort Street. Gradwell’s son Frank and then his grandson Don continued in the family’s long, fine tradition.
In January 2006, long time employee Alison Ross bought Kilshaw’s Auctioneers. Alison had joined the company with a master’s degree in History in Art and many years of teaching and business experience. Alison was very pleased that long time staff members remained under her ownership including auctioneer Jeffrey Dean and office manager Melanie Weston. As an auctioneer, appraiser and owner, Alison continues the tradition of honesty and integrity established by the Kilshaw family while infusing the business with fresh ideas and enthusiasm.
Gradwell Kilshaw with son Frank
In 2016, Alison moved the business to an award winning heritage restoration property in the heart of old town Victoria. Kilshaw’s now offers live, online bidding during Specialty Sales and has big screens for the display of product during the auction. In 2017, Kilshaw’s won the Times Colonist Reader’s Choice Best Auction as well as the NEDC Business of the Year. Through generations of personal attention, honesty, and knowledge, Kilshaw’s Auctioneers has delighted innumerable patrons with their purchases and sales.
