The long and somewhat troubled history of Phillips de Pury Luxembourg Arnault Mercury, etc. takes another turn today as Simon de Pury announces his departure. The move hardly comes as surprise after recent management changes. Here’s Carol Vogel on the news:

Just as the art world is disappearing for the holidays, Phillips de Pury & Company, the struggling boutique auction house, released an announcement that Simon de Pury — its chairman, principal auctioneer and the face of the company for the last 12 years — is stepping down. In a separate e-mail his wife, Michaela, who has been a senior director there, announced her departure too.

Come January the New York based auction house will be called just Phillips

Simon de Pury Steps Down from Helm of Phillips de Pury (Arts Beat/NY Times)