James Christie, a Scotland-born UK auctioneer, was the one to found Christie’s auction house on December 5th, 1766, in London, England. It started as a studio for prominent artists’ auction sales and evolved into something much bigger. Namely, after handling a number of important art auctions, such as the one where sir Robert Walpole’s painting collections were sold to Catherine the Great of Russia in 1778, Christie’s quickly established itself as a renowned auction house. That led to capitalizing on London’s newfound prominence as a major international art trade hub during the French Revolution.
Following his father’s death in 1803, James Christie II, a specialist in ancient Greek and Italian art, took over the business. It stayed as a private company until 1973 when it went public, and then it was bought by Francois Pinault, a French businessman and a mega art collector, in 1999.
In the late 1950s, they expanded from London — first was a new office in Rome in 1958; then, one in Geneva (1968) and one in Tokyo (1969). Nowadays, they have offices all over the world — from Singapore to the USA.
Christie’s is a world-leading art and luxury business with a physical presence in 46 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific, and flagship international sales hubs in New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris and Geneva.
Renowned and trusted for our expert live and online-only auctions, as well as bespoke Private Sales, Christie’s unparalleled network of specialists offers our clients a full portfolio of global services, including art appraisal, art financing, international real estate and education. Christie’s auctions span more than 80 art and luxury categories, at price points ranging from $500 to over $100 million.
Country: United Kingdom
Year: 1766
Date: December 5
Source: https://www.artdex.com/history-of-auctions-auction-houses/
History of Auctioneering
The largest auction of comic books, comic art and comic-related memorabilia took place on 5 and 6 May 2011. The auction, conducted by Heritage Auction Galleries in New York City, USA, raised $6,077,355 (£3,712,000).
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Date: May 5
Source: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/78277-largest-auction-of-comic-books
The most expensive tooth sold at auction cost £23,010 ($36,857) and was bought by Dr Michael Zuk (Canada) at the Omega Auction House in Stockport, Cheshire, UK, on 5 November 2011. The tooth is reported to have belonged to John Lennon. The final hammer price was £19,500 and the auction house commission was £3,510.
Country: United Kingdom
Year: 2011
Date: November 5
Source: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-expensive-tooth-sold-at-auction
The most expensive corkscrew sold at auction is £49,600 ($77,718; € 62,652) including premium and was bought by Ion Chirescu (Romania), via phone bid, in an auction by Reeman Dansie Auction House, Colchester, UK, on 25 November 2014. The item was described in the sales catalogue as “an unusual Victorian Old London Bridge corkscrew” with an “arched crown section”.
Country: United Kingdom
Year: 2014
Date: November 25
Source: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/464646-most-expensive-corkscrew-sold-at-auction
Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, Appleton, WI
Country:
Year: 2014
Date: January 26
Source:
In 2015, RM Auctions and Sotheby’s merged to form RM Sotheby’s, positioning Sotheby’s as a respected partner in the luxury collector car market.
Country:
Year: 2015
Date:
Source:
The most expensive headwear sold at auction is AED (United Arab Emirates) 24,050,000 ($ 6,545,950; £ 4,332,110) and was auctioned by Emirates Auction (UAE), at an event organised by Al Jalila Foundation, in Dubai, UAE, on 25 November 2015. The headwear was a helmet originally used by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE vice president, prime minister and ruler of Dubai.
Country: United Arab Emirates
Year: 2015
Date: November 24
Source: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-expensive-headwear-sold-at-auction
The most expensive saddle sold at auction is AED (United Arab Emirates) 2,400,000 ($ 653,234; £ 432,310) and was auctioned by Emirates Auction (UAE), at an event organised by Al Jalila Foundation, in Dubai, UAE, on 25 November 2015. The saddle was originally used by the crowne prince of Dubai H.H Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.
Country: United Arab Emirates
Year: 2015
Date: November 25
Source: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/416036-most-expensive-saddle-sold-at-auction
David M. Lulich, 80, passed away at home on Sunday, December 27, 2015, after a recent battle with esophageal cancer. After graduation, he attended Reisch Auction School in Mason City, Iowa. He started working as an auctioneer for Thorp Finance and soon started his own business, Lulich Auction & Realty, in 1979. David donated his skills as an auctioneer to many community organizations, including being a 4-H market sale auctioneer for Douglas, Iron and Gogebic counties. He has been the sole auctioneer for the Bayfield County 4-H market animal sale for the last 49 years.
Country: United States
Year: 2015
Date: December 27
Source: https://www.mountainfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/David-M-Lulich?obId=14355248
The largest abandoned property auction sold 1,457 lots and was achieved by Brigitte Kruse (USA) in Beverly Hills, California, USA, 9 January 2016. The lots sold for a total of $373,348.41.
Country: United States
Year: 2016
Date: January 9
Source: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/414337-largest-abandoned-property-auction
Wisconsin State Fair Park, Milwaukee
Country: United States
Year: 2017
Date: August 8
Source: