Sotheby’s, one of the world’s leading auction firms, founded in London in 1744. It originally handled sales of important manuscripts and library collections, but since the mid-1950s it has focused on the sale of art. Read more about Sotheby’s history and significant sales.
Sotheby’s, in full Sotheby’s Holdings, Inc., also called (1864–1924) Sotheby, Wilkinson and Hodge and (1924–83) Sotheby and Company, one of the world’s leading auction firms, founded in London in 1744. It originally handled sales of important manuscripts and library collections, but, beginning in the mid-1950s, it increasingly focused on the sale of art. Headquartered in New York City since the 20th century, Sotheby’s maintains other sales offices and auction rooms worldwide. The founder, Samuel Baker (died 1778), a London bookseller, held his first auction (under his own name) early in 1744, selling an estate library of 457 books. Establishing the