Biography
Melissa Cooper is Senior Vice President, Head of Collection Sale Management at Sotheby’s New York. She has nearly 20 years of experience managing important fine and decorative art collections, ensuring that every aspect of the sale experience is seamless.
Since joining Sotheby’s in 2018, Melissa has overseen various historic collection sales, ranging from The Mallin Collection, the important and vast Contemporary collection that included an in-situ sculpture sale, to The Vanguard Spirit, one of the most important Latin American Art collections ever to come to market. She has also played a significant role in the sale of the Zilkha and Paley collections. Melissa was appointed as Head of Collection Sale Management in 2022 and leads a team that works directly with art advisors, private clients, and fiduciaries to help manage with the sale process for some of the world’s most complex and valuable art collections to come to market in recent years.
Melissa started her career in the Bids department at Christie’s where she then rose to the role of Senior Account Manager in the Trusts, Estates & Appraisals department where she oversaw valuations and sales of many noteworthy collections, the most iconic of which was the Elizabeth Taylor sale. After a ten-year tenure at Christie’s, Melissa worked as an Art Collection Manager for a prestigious private New York art collection. She oversaw the day-to-day management of the collection and facilitated $40m in sales on behalf of the collector. Having worked at both auction houses and directly with private clients, Melissa has unique experience and insight to provide clients and their collections with the highest level of care and attention.
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