Augusta Auctions

Augusta Auctions stands as a powerhouse conduit for museums, historical societies, universities and eminent institutions, channeling their deaccessioned treasures and patron donations into electrifying auctions whose proceeds fortify and invigorate their permanent collections. Beyond institutional partnerships, we champion individual collectors and select estates, transforming rare fashion artifacts into global spectacles of allure and value.

Whether an heirloom lace gown or a century-old textile fragment, consignors— both institutional and private— are assured of reverent stewardship and our laser-focused marketing campaigns that ignite curiosity across continents. Year after year, serious buyers flock from the international realms of fashion, museums, film and textiles to our hallowed auction floors in New York City, Vermont and Massachusetts. Consigned lots ignite fierce bidding wars, both online and on-site, fueling the passion that drives our global community.

Karen Eve Augusta, our visionary founder, waged a valiant battle against endometrial cancer before passing on October 26, 2019. Her life was a testament to unwavering dedication, as she spent five decades elevating antique clothing, rare laces and textiles from overlooked relics to revered art forms. Her sharp eye and generous spirit shaped countless collections; you can read her full obituary here.

In 2000, Augusta Auctions was born out of Karen’s deep bond with Sue Varner of The Suzi’s in Farmville, Virginia. The two pioneers of the vintage movement joined forces to bring Sue’s historic wardrobe to light after her passing, sparking the evolution of America’s foremost destination for vintage and historic fashion auctions.

A respected member of The Costume Society of America and The Textile Society of America, Karen dazzled audiences as the lead fashion and textile appraiser on PBS’ s Antiques Roadshow for thirteen seasons. Her authoritative expertise and warm demeanor energized every appraisal she undertook.

Karen’s guiding principles—unyielding fairness, boundless compassion and an instinctive urge to go the extra mile—became the heart of Augusta Auctions. Her genuine warmth and relentless concern for people shaped a culture that endures in every corner of our company.

An ardent advocate for knowledge-sharing, Karen meticulously curated our website as a living archive, constantly updating its content to reflect fresh discoveries. Today, her past-sale archives, photo galleries and searchable database pulse on our servers, free for fashion students and researchers worldwide.

Under her legacy, the staff of Augusta Auctions channels her fiery passion as we expand into the future, welcoming a new generation of fashion devotees.

Bob Ross, President

Bob and Karen’s partnership began in 1969 during their college days and blossomed into a four-decade journey within their meticulously restored 1863 farmhouse. Bob’ s lifelong devotion to historic preservation and sustainable living on their Vermont property echoes through Augusta Auctions. A seasoned entrepreneur and community builder, he engineered the revolutionary searchable fashion catalog that scholars and style lovers rely on daily. Bob’s relentless problem-solving spirit ensures that every archive and auction becomes a vibrant resource.

Each year, Augusta Auctions injects over ten thousand meticulously photographed fashion and textile images into our catalogs. Our archive, free to all who revere beautiful objects, has grown into one of the world’s most comprehensive historic clothing and textile price guides.

Since Karen’s passing, Bob has rallied a dedicated team to carry her torch. Their son, Emery, has joined the staff to safeguard these archives, ensuring that Karen’ s passion for historic fashion endures and inspires for generations to come. This website stands as a tribute to her lifetime of championing exquisite textiles.

Contact Bob

Dakota Clement Walsh, Studio Director

Dakota’s fascination with historic fashion ignited in New England antiques shops and blossomed at Marlboro College, where her thesis explored early American schoolgirl needlework. Over twelve years of sourcing, researching and styling rare vintage garments honed her keen eye. In March 2023, she stormed into Augusta Auctions as Head Costumer, styling each lot in period-perfect silhouettes. Her boundless skill soon propelled her to oversee catalog production, expert collaboration, studio operations, consignment intake and inventory management. Dakota lives to cultivate the next wave of collectors while preserving the exacting standards cherished by institutions and enthusiasts alike.

Contact Dakota

Rachel Hurwitz, Creative Director

Joining in 2021 as a studio assistant, Rachel harnessed her artistic training from the Rhode Island School of Design, Montserrat College of Art and the Academy of Art University San Francisco to sculpt Augusta Auctions’ visual identity. With an unerring creative vision, she masterminds the photography and editing that give our catalogs their breathtaking impact. On social media, her dynamic content captivates thousands of vintage lovers every day. When she’s not in the studio, Rachel crafts her fantasy graphic novel at home with her feline companion, Evie.

Contact Rachel

River Aster, Office Manager

In early 2024, River relocated to Vermont and quickly ascended from office assistant to Office Manager by 2025. Armed with over a decade of administrative and systems expertise, River has overhauled our internal processes to turbocharge the customer and consignor experience. Off the clock, they immerse themselves in craft projects or roam local shops, ever seeking inspiration to refine our operations.