Collectors big and small welcome to bid in Hudson’s Bay auction: Heffel

Heffel president David Heffel poses for a photo in Toronto on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Melissa Renwick

TORONTO — Canadians who have always wanted to own a piece of the country’s retail history will soon have their chance.

The president of Heffel Fine Art Auction House says many items his company is preparing to sell for Hudson’s Bay in an online auction will be within reach for collectors with even small budgets.

That’s because several of the 4,400 pieces of art and artifacts will be listed by David Heffel’s auction house without a minimum price, allowing them to attract bids even under $100.

HBC has yet to reveal what will be on offer in the online sales starting in November and running through December but has teased that the items will mostly be from the company’s retail era.

Heffel has said the items to hit the auction block will include HBC point blankets, rare coins, retail antiquities and collectible toys.

In addition to the online sales, Heffel will host a live auction in November for 27 high-value paintings HBC had. One of the paintings was made by former British prime minister Winston Churchill and is valued between $400,000 and $600,000.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 10, 2025.

Tara Deschamps, The Canadian Press