Not many family-owned businesses make it to the century mark these days, and Jewish Baltimore can only claim a handful. Among them is Alex Cooper Auctioneers, which throughout 2024 is celebrating its centennial anniversary.
Headquartered in Towson and operated by its fourth generation of family members, Alex Cooper is one of the nation’s largest and most respected auction houses, specializing in real estate, fine art, jewelry and antique sales.
Throughout this calendar year, Alex Cooper will commemorate its centennial milestone with a series of special events.
“I’m extremely proud that Alex Cooper Auctioneers is run with my father’s philosophy to this day,” said Joseph Cooper, the company’s president and son of the founder. “It’s rare that a family business reaches the 100-year milestone. I attribute our success to my father, who always emphasized the importance of honesty and integrity, as our reputation has gotten us to where we are today.
“We look forward to continuing a trajectory of growth for many years to come.”
The namesake of the company immigrated to the United States from the Ukrainian town of Letichev in the early 20th century and settled in Baltimore. In 1924, he launched Alex Cooper Auctioneers. Cooper rented his first storefront in the 400 block of North Howard Street and began procuring and selling furniture, antiques and fine arts while maintaining a real estate division.
In the 1940s, Cooper moved the operation to 212 North Calvert Street, and later to 345 North Charles Street. In 1982, the business unified all of its operations and relocated to its current showroom at 908 York Road in Towson.
Joseph Cooper joined the family business in 1952. He took over the company after the sudden passing of his father in April of 1971.
He eventually enlisted his two nephews and three sons — Paul, Larry and Brian — to help run Alex Cooper. Today, Larry Cooper’s children, Matthew and Carley, represent the fourth generation of family involvement and leadership in the company.
Over the years, Alex Cooper has facilitated many notable real estate auctions, including the infamous Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C., and midtown Baltimore’s Belvedere Hotel.
On the fine arts side, highlights include a 1782 letter from Gen. George Washington at the end of the Revolutionary War and a World War II-era field marshal baton that in 2010 sold for more than $700,000, as well as other rare books and ephemera.
In 2015, Alex Cooper implemented an online platform allowing bidders from across the globe to participate in auctions. Around the same time, the company’s York Road headquarters underwent significant renovations, including an expansion of the 24,000-square-foot showroom.
“My grandfather would be so proud of the modernization of his business,” said Paul Cooper the company’s vice president. “The auction industry has evolved greatly over the last 100 years. I’m proud of how we continue to innovate and stay ahead of trends. Our online platform allowed us to expand our geographic reach in ways we never thought were possible. It’s incredible to see that buyers from all over the world look forward to our auctions.”
With an eye toward continued growth, Alex Cooper is committed to expanding its real estate division. The business has focused on securing real estate licenses in states across the country, and has facilitated sales in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia and Florida, in addition to Maryland and D.C. Alex Cooper is targeting Texas and South Carolina as the business continues to expand its national footprint.
“It’s an honor to be a fourth-generation leader of Alex Cooper Auctioneers,” said Matt Cooper, the company’s real estate division leader. “Alex Cooper has a strong reputation in the Mid-Atlantic region and in the next 100 years, my goal is to be the go-to auction house for people across the U.S.”
For information, visit alexcooper.com. Check out Alex Cooper’s Facebook page and Instagram for special content commemorating their 100th anniversary throughout 2024.
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