Founded in 1744, Sotheby’s is the oldest and largest internationally recognised firm of fine art auctioneers in the world. It has a global network of 80 offices and the company’s annual worldwide sales turnover is currently in excess of $7 billion.
Sotheby’s founder, Samuel Baker, was an entrepreneur, occasional publisher and successful bookseller who held his first auction under his own name on 11 March 1744. The dispersal of “several Hundred scarce and valuable Books in all branches of Polite Literature” from the library of Sir John Stanley fetched a grand total of £826.
Baker concocted enticing advertising campaigns and produced authoritative catalogues. He was, as one colleague noted, a “joyous fellow” with a fondness for plum-coloured coats.
For more than a century, Baker and his successors were to handle all of the great libraries sold at auction, including those of the Earls of Sunderland, Hopetoun and Pembroke and the Dukes of Devonshire, York and Buckingham. Following Napoleon’s death, Sotheby’s sold the books he had taken into exile to St Helena – the final lot was the Emperor’s tortoiseshell-and-gold walking stick.
In 1767 Baker went into partnership with George Leigh. Leigh was a natural auctioneer with an actor’s sense of timing. His ivory hammer is still on display at Sotheby’s London galleries. On Baker’s death in 1778, his estate was divided between Leigh and Baker’s nephew John Sotheby, whose family remained involved in the business for more than 80 years. During that time the company extended its role to take in the sale of prints, coins, medals and antiquities.
In 1842 John Wilkinson, the firm’s senior accountant, became a partner and when the last of the Sotheby family died in 1861, Wilkinson took over as head of the business. Three years later he promoted Edward Grose Hodge, and restyled the company Sotheby, Wilkinson and Hodge, the name it carried until 1924.
Country: United Kingdom
Year: 1744
Date: March 11
Source: https://www.sothebys.com/en/about/our-history
History of Auctioneering
Bonhams founded in London in 1793, Bonhams is a privately owned auction house that focuses on fine art, antiques, and collectibles.
Country: United Kingdom
Year: 1793
Date:
Source: https://www.thememorabiliaclub.com/en-us/pages/the-10-most-reputable-auction-houses-in-the-world?srsltid=AfmBOooy9Ny64jd8sBebui--qZzIcpEBnQuTp3e0MLapcOOQubSuTT1h
Founded in London in 1796 by Harry Phillips, Phillips began as a general auctioneer before shifting its focus to fine art and antiques in the 20th century. The auction house has a reputation for its innovative approach to contemporary art, design, and photography auctions. Phillips is known for its themed sales and curated exhibitions, showcasing emerging and established artists alike. The house operates through a combination of live and online auctions, catering to a diverse range of collectors.
In 2022, Phillips made record sales reporting a total of $746 million in both auctions and private sales. Phillips was the first auction house to introduce themed sales, such as the “New Now” auction series focusing on emerging contemporary artists.
Country: United Kingdom
Year: 1796
Date:
Source: https://americascollection.com/news/a-brief-history-of-leading-auction-houses-sothebys-christies-phillips-and-dorotheum/
Mayor and Common Council in Appleton create ordinance that you need a license in Appleton to Auction.
Country: United States
Year: 1887
Date:
Source:
Country: United States
Year: 1910
Date:
Source:
Freeman Hotel, Black River Falls, WI
Country: United States
Year: 1951
Date: February 17
Source:
NAA’s 1958 Convention was held July 17-18-19 at the Hotel Statler in Buffalo, New York.
Country: United States
Year: 1958
Date: July 17
Source: https://mikebrandlyauctioneer.wordpress.com/2018/02/13/national-auctioneers-association-conference-show-locations/
Glenn Hellberg was the World Livestock Auctioneer Champion in 1965.
Country: United States
Year: 1965
Date:
Source:
Midway Motor Lodge, La Crosse, WI
Country:
Year: 1973
Date: June 12
Source:
The Livestock Marketing Association (LMA), headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, is North America’s leading, national trade association dedicated to serving its members in the open and competitive auction method of marketing livestock. Founded in 1947, LMA has more than 800 member businesses across the U.S. and Canada and remains invested in both the livestock and livestock marketing industries through member support, education programs, policy representation and communication efforts.
Country: United States
Year: 1974
Date:
Source:
Country: United States
Year: 1976
Date: August 13
Source: