For the first time, Canadians will have the chance to bring home a tangible piece of Hudson’s Bay’s storied past. Following the retailer’s collapse earlier this year, thousands of artworks and artifacts from its collection are set to hit the auction block in a series of live and online sales starting in November.
When Hudson’s Bay filed for creditor protection and shuttered its stores in March, it left behind 4,400 items — including 1,700 pieces of art and 2,700 artifacts — in need of new homes. While many of the pieces remain under wraps, the company has revealed that the first items to go up for sale will include 27 paintings offered by Heffel Fine Art Auction House during a live auction on November 19 in Toronto.
Among the highlights are a painting of Morocco by former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, works by Toronto co-founder William von Moll Berczy, and an 1894 depiction of downtown Toronto by Frederic Marlett Bell-Smith.
The remainder of the items — including Hudson’s Bay point blankets, rare coins, retail antiquities, and collectible toys — will be auctioned online through a series of sales running into 2026.
How to View and Bid
The 27 paintings will be on public display from November 11 to 18 at Heffel’s gallery at 13 Hazelton Ave. in Toronto, open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The live auction follows on November 19, with bidders able to participate in person, by representative, phone, or online. Those choosing remote methods must register at least 48 hours before the sale.
The first online auction will run from November 12 to December 4, with previews available by appointment from December 1 to 3. Additional online auctions will be announced in the months ahead.
What to Expect on Pricing
Auctioneers will set minimum bid prices depending on the item, though these are not disclosed beforehand. Items must meet their reserve price — the minimum amount the seller will accept — to be sold.
While the Churchill painting is expected to fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars, many online auction pieces will be unreserved, meaning they could sell for under $100 to the highest bidder.
After the Gavel Falls
Successful bidders will be notified by Heffel and invoiced, with payment required within seven days. Details on pickup and shipping have not yet been announced. The identities of winning bidders will remain confidential unless buyers choose to go public.
Hudson’s Bay, one of Canada’s oldest retail institutions, leaves behind not just commercial spaces but a tangible legacy of art, culture, and commerce — one that collectors, historians, and everyday Canadians now have the chance to preserve.