About Us

Jon Crisman, way back in the 70’s when not attending outdoor estate auctions, would spend his time with photography, and dreamt of following the footsteps of Ansel Adams. His passion for the craft led him to formal training at Hawkeye Institute in fine art & large format photography. But it was shortly after a local auctioneer, H. James Jackson, whose auctions Jon had attended for years growing up, asked if Jon would photograph antiques for ads and sale bills in which he eagerly agreed.  As needs arose, Jon would help with packing, moving and auction set-up. An educator by trade, Jim Jackson noticed Jon’s love for the business and put him to work as a “Ring Man”. Jim’s mentoring only increased Jon’s passion for the business, and it was a short few years later that Col. Jim needed a relief auctioneer so he could take a break.” Jon” he asked, “Could you sell for a few minutes? Simply say give one dollar, give two dollars, give three dollars” Jon fondly recalls those informal days of auctioneering and relates his first hour of chanting as when his father taught him to swim. “Throw him off the dock and let’s see if he makes it”.

Jon’s career continued for 40 years as the company grew into a multi-million dollar auction powerhouse that was and still is predominate in the sale of Antiques, Collectibles,OilPaintings, Fine and Decorative Arts. But after four decades in one spot Jon felt other interests taking hold. In 2018 Jon officially retired from Jackson’s to bicycle across the country coast to coast. Raising funds for MS, Jon would spend two months on a bicycle pedaling 3200 miles from San Diego CA to St, Petersburg FL. When Jon returned, he started his own auction company, Iowa Estate Auctions, returning to his roots, intent on providing great service for regular estates and collections. However just the following year Covid shut things down. It was then that an old auction patron and specialist in Advertising and coin-op auctions, Rich Penn asked for Jon's assistance, there he would spend the next 4 years as Rich’s auction manager & cataloger, adding even more to his repertoire of expertise.

Jon’s knowledge, passion and experience in the industry is unparalleled and he has one philosophy: What took a lifetime for a collector to build, deserves as much time, energy, and commitment that you can give when selling.