- Hardcover: 288 pages
- Publisher: Little, Brown & Company; 1st ed. edition (7 May 1998)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0316644471
- ISBN-13: 978-0316644471
- Product Dimensions: 23.2 x 16.2 x 3.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,269,737 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
This volume explores the history of Sotheby's auction house, tracing its beginnings back to 1744. It was in the latter half of the 19th century, when economic instability forced the aristocrats to sell off many of their treasures, that Sotheby's began to lay the foundations of the modern art market. The Sotheby's-Christie's rivalry intensified in the early-1900s and they have been battling it out ever since over the likes of Cezanne, Picasso, Van Gogh and Monet. Lacey takes the reader through the unprecedented boom of the 1980s, when Van Gogh's "Irises" went for $53.9 million, and examines the catastrophic effects of an inflation still being felt today.
About the Author
Robert Lacey is the bestselling author of twelve previous books
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Lacey's book is a beautifully written, elegant history of Sotheby's, its competition w Christies, the faddish and often silly and overpriced art and collectibles markets. The warts are there, and so is a great cast of characters, some of whom are so well portrayed as to be almost alive. A great book, on a fascinating firm.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I am a person that has a first hand view of how Sotheby's works as a company and this book gives all of the inside stories that show how coruption and greed have corrupted a company that is listed as being over 250 years old. Read Bidding for Class and learn about the true dates of Sotheby's and their #1 rival, Christies. Who has had the better years? Who has come out on top? Once you pick this up, you won't put it down, it keeps you engaged from page one. Take it from someone who knows, Sotheby's isn't all it's cracked up to be.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Most readers will not have prior knowledge of the auction world. This book does a superb job of disclosing the multifaceted aspects of the great, and respected dealer in valuable collectibles. Like other venues, such as the movie industry, the commercial goals are in conflict with the artistry. And like Hollywood, Sotheby's had its share of charismatic leaders.
I feel that Lacey created an accessible universe for the uninitiated. I disagree with those critics who focus on details, and cavil over minutiae. This represents a fascinating and valuable introduction to the world of high level auctioneering.
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