Samuel Merrin

A Determined Collector

As his exuberance shows, when Samuel Merrin sets a goal, he traverses the lengths necessary to reach his intended destination. Already having made a name for himself in the world of pre-Columbian art (the Merrin Gallery is widely known as the world's leading gallery for pre-Columbian and ancient South American works of art) in 1997 Samuel Merrin set his focus on a clay horse from China's Tang dynasty. His characteristically ferocious bidding ended in a winning price of $937,500: a number that exceeded the original estimate twice over.

The quality of the Merrin Gallery's collections exist as a testament to Samuel Merrin's tenacious acquisition methods. Not one to shy off of a desired artifact or ancient art piece, Samuel Merrin's gallery, the Merrin Gallery, has benefited from both the resolution and drive of its current director, as well as the experienced art pedigree begun by Samuel's father and predecessor, Edward Merrin.

Read more on Samuel Merrin in Lisa Sander's full BusinessWeek article.

Samuel Merrin: Architectural Appreciation

As a man who knows what he likes, Samuel Merrin is well-accustomed to encountering obstacles. As the goal-driven set frequently finds, road blocks have a tendency to arise in the context of specifically and clearly defined objectives. As Sam Merrin has shown, however, persistence allows the high-powered individual to clear even the most obstructive hurdles.

Sam Merrin is a man with an eye. His eye for antiquities has allowed him to compile some of the greatest art collections to ever grace Manhattan's 5th Avenue. His appreciation for the visual has also stirred in Sam Merrin a personal interest in one of New York's other avenues: the architectural market.

Samuel Merrin's interest in perhaps purchasing the 5-bedroom Apthorp apartment once the building goes ahead with its plans of condominium conversion is an illustrative example of a man whose far-sighted goals and eventual achievements run remarkably parallel. Priced at $10.6 million to buy, Samuel Merrin's leased residence at the Apthorp is simply one of the dwellings facing conversion at the hands of current Apthorp co-owners Lev Leviev and Maurice Mann. Despite the steep price, however, Sam Merrin adheres tightly to what he wants. In a New York Magazine article on the topic of the Apthorp's administrative upheaval, Samuel Merrin expresses in no uncertain terms his attachment to the building: “This is a top-end building...My daughters can play in the courtyard. I can drive my car right in there! I'm in love with the look of the building. Maybe I shouldn’t be saying that now, but I’m in love with it.”

Read more on Samuel Merrin and the Apthorp in Michael Idov's New York Magazine article.

Sam Merrin and the Merrin Gallery

Tenacious, exuberant, and determined, Samuel Merrin is an art collector whose eye is as sharp and focused as any in the business. Armed with a keen sense of style and an even more polished appreciation of ancient form, Sam Merrin directs the world-renowned Merrin Gallery with a steady hand and a studied air. Ancient art may be the guiding factor in Samuel Merrin's career, but the director of the Merrin Gallery is officiated by little else. From pre-Columbian antiquities to Far East treasures to his own home, Sam Merrin knows what he wants and is poised to grab.