Auction glossaryAuction Catalog: What It Is and What Each Listing Tells You
An auction catalog is the full list of lots in a sale, with each lot's number, title, photos, description and condition, and sometimes an estimate. It used to be a printed booklet; for online auctions it's the sale page. Bidders use it to find lots and decide what to bid on.
What's in an auction catalog listing?
A good listing answers the questions you'd ask at a preview. Each lot should show:
- Lot number and title
- Photos from several angles
- Description, dimensions and condition notes
- An estimate or reserve status, where given
- Pickup or shipping details and the closing time
How do auction houses build a catalog?
Cataloging takes real time: photographing, measuring and writing up every lot. On Auktia, the catalog is simply the auction's list of items, and a seller (auction house) can scan a barcode, snap photos for AI to draft each listing, or import a spreadsheet, including catalog exports from HiBid, Auction Flex, AuctionMethod and BidWrangler. Read more on cataloging auction lots faster.
Questions people ask
How do I search an auction catalog?
Use the sale's search or browse by category. On Auktia you can also search across every open auction at once.
Can an auction house export its catalog?
Usually, depending on the software. Sellers on Auktia can export any auction as a CSV file.