eBay hopes to bolster its impressive online auction this fall with the creation of Great Collections, a site loaded with rare collectibles, art and antiques.

The valuables will be offered and guaranteed by many of the world's leading auction houses, including Greg Manning Auctions of New York, Bloomsbury of London and Butterfield & Butterfield of California.

"Our mission for eBay Great Collections is to make fine antiques, art and rare collectibles more accessible to people around the world -- with no buyer's premium," said Steve Westly, vice president of eBay and general manager of Great Collections.

"This new category will also expand the already extensive selection our site offers the eBay community and collecting enthusiasts."

Five other auction houses have signed on to sponsor the site, which is accessible from the site's home page.

eBay (EBAY) expects more auction houses to follow.

The online trading site's 5.6 million members will have the opportunity to buy rare items from the following categories: Books & Manuscripts, Coins, Stamps& Cards and Fine Arts, etc.

Such items were previously available for bidding solely on auction house trading floors.

Particpating auction houses and galleries will offer authentication services and provide customer support to bidders via e-mail and the auction formats will be the same as eBay's.