About Heritage Auctions - Rare Art Pieces

A native of Puerto Rico, David moved to Chicago in 1993 to attend Prairie State College and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He moved to San Francisco in 1998 to continue his studies when he decided to apply for a summer Firearms position with Butterfield and Butterfield. He has remained in the auction business since. David travels extensively, representing Heritage at numerous gun shows throughout the country. He specializes in early Spanish Miquelet firearms along with his broad general knowledge of firearms and Latin America-related collectibles, including Mexican 50 pesos, Spanish-American War memorabilia and Roberto Clemente baseball cards.

Clifford received his degree in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Georgia.  Combining the disciplines of historical artifacts and firearms He has worked as a generalist and cataloger of antique and collectible firearms for major auction houses since 2004.  This includes a particular focus on the American Frontier West, especially as it pertains to American antique firearms, gambling collectibles, saddles and cowboy trappings. An avid shooter and horseman, he also participates in the fast growing sport of Ride and Shoot.

Alissa is well versed on the art market, having managed multi-million dollar collections nationwide, helping collectors find premier paintings by important California and Western artists; and having worked both at major California and New York auction houses and alongside some of the country’s most respected dealers.  Alissa received her BA in Art History with an emphasis in the Italian Renaissance, then pursued her Master’s in American Fine and Decorative Arts. After spending several years in New York, Alissa decided to return to her native grounds to specialize in the great masters of the American West, working in the California Painting department of another prominent auction house and as Director of a highly recognized California Art Gallery. “I realized early on that this niche of the market is filled with passionate collectors and I feel fortunate to continue to build relationships with those buyers ” In addition to her role as Director, California Art, Alissa acts as one of the company’s auctioneers.

Jemison Beshears, who received Masters’ Degrees in Graphic Design and Maritime Archaeology from San Francisco State and East Carolina University, brings 15 years of professional experience to his role as Antiques Firearms Specialist. He was part of the Arms & Armor department at Butterfield & Butterfield, before joining Greg Martin Auctions and coming with the Martin team when it joined Heritage in the spring of 2011.

Roger received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from San Jose State. He brings 40 years experience with sporting guns and 15 years of professional experience with three different auction houses to his position in the Heritage Firearms category, specializing in high grade shotguns and rifles. Roger has developed specialized and unique catalog descriptions that emphasize the technical aspects of high grade shotguns and has published a number of articles in Double Gun Journal and Shooting Sportsman. With David Baker he has written and published the book: PARADOX, The Story of G.V. Fosbery, Holland & Holland and the Paradox, a 12-year comprehensive study of the inventor and the revolutionary ball and shot gun made by Holland & Holland.