A professional who sells articles at auction to highest bidder. Respnsibilities include:

• Appraises merchandise before sale and assembles merchandise in lots according to estimated value of individual pieces or type of article.
• Selects article to be auctioned at suggestion of bidders or by own choice.
• Appraises article and determines or asks for starting bid.
• Describes merchandise and gives information about article, such as history and ownership, in order to encourage bidding.
• Continues to ask for bids, attempting to stimulate buying desire of bidders.
• Closes sale to highest bidder.
• May write auction catalog and advertising copy for local or trade newspapers and periodicals.
• May be designated according to property auctioned as Auctioneer, Art; Auctioneer, Automobile; Auctioneer, Furniture; Auctioneer, Livestock; Auctioneer, Real Estate; Auctioneer, Tobacco.