What do you think?
Rate this book
Sotheby's: Bidding for Class
An inside look at the history and workings of the world's largest, richest auction house and the art market that it serves illuminates some of its most magnificent deals and highlights the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis estate sale of 1996. 50,000 first printing. Tour.
354 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
7 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Robert Lacey
83 books323 followersRobert Lacey is a British historian noted for his original research, which gets him close to - and often living alongside - his subjects. He is the author of numerous international bestsellers.
After writing his first works of historical biography, Robert, Earl of Essex and Sir Walter Ralegh, Robert wrote Majesty, his pioneering biography of Queen Elizabeth II. Published in 1977, Majesty remains
acknowledged as the definitive study of British monarchy - a subject on which the author continues to write and lecture around the world, appearing regularly on ABC's Good Morning America and on CNN's Larry King Live.
The Kingdom, a study of Saudi Arabia published in 1981, is similarly acknowledged as required reading for businessmen, diplomats and students all over the world. To research The Kingdom, Robert and his wife Sandi took their family to live for eighteen months beside the Red Sea in Jeddah. Going out into the desert, this was when Robert earned his title as the "method actor" of contemporary biographers.
In March 1984 Robert Lacey took his family to live in Detroit, Michigan, to write Ford: the Men and the Machine, a best seller on both sides of the Atlantic which formed the basis for the TV mini-series of the same title, starring Cliff Robertson.
Robert's other books include biographies of the gangster Meyer Lansky, Princess Grace of Monaco and a study of Sotheby's auction house. He co- authored The Year 1000 - An Englishman's World, a description of life at the turn of the last millennium. In 2002, the Golden Jubilee Year of Queen Elizabeth II, he published Royal (Monarch in America), hailed by Andrew Roberts in London's Sunday Telegraph as "compulsively readable", and by Martin Amis in The New Yorker as "definitive".
With the publication of his Great Tales Robert Lacey returns to his first love - history. Robert Lacey is currently the historical consultant to the award-winning Netflix series "The Crown".
After writing his first works of historical biography, Robert, Earl of Essex and Sir Walter Ralegh, Robert wrote Majesty, his pioneering biography of Queen Elizabeth II. Published in 1977, Majesty remains
acknowledged as the definitive study of British monarchy - a subject on which the author continues to write and lecture around the world, appearing regularly on ABC's Good Morning America and on CNN's Larry King Live.
The Kingdom, a study of Saudi Arabia published in 1981, is similarly acknowledged as required reading for businessmen, diplomats and students all over the world. To research The Kingdom, Robert and his wife Sandi took their family to live for eighteen months beside the Red Sea in Jeddah. Going out into the desert, this was when Robert earned his title as the "method actor" of contemporary biographers.
In March 1984 Robert Lacey took his family to live in Detroit, Michigan, to write Ford: the Men and the Machine, a best seller on both sides of the Atlantic which formed the basis for the TV mini-series of the same title, starring Cliff Robertson.
Robert's other books include biographies of the gangster Meyer Lansky, Princess Grace of Monaco and a study of Sotheby's auction house. He co- authored The Year 1000 - An Englishman's World, a description of life at the turn of the last millennium. In 2002, the Golden Jubilee Year of Queen Elizabeth II, he published Royal (Monarch in America), hailed by Andrew Roberts in London's Sunday Telegraph as "compulsively readable", and by Martin Amis in The New Yorker as "definitive".
With the publication of his Great Tales Robert Lacey returns to his first love - history. Robert Lacey is currently the historical consultant to the award-winning Netflix series "The Crown".
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 15, 2011
Really felt more like a business/takeover primer than an "insider's look into Sotheby's." There were some interesting parts but overall I expected it to be a lot more dynamic. It was pretty dry. I think this is the shortest review I've ever written.
February 16, 2014
I stumbled upon this book at a rummage sale and was immediately intrigued. Having been involved with antiques and collectibles for the majority of my life, I had an awareness of Sotheby's and Christie's in the auction world from the various high profile sales they've made in the past 25 years. I've often yearned for a more "inside" look into their business and I thought this to be the perfect book to try and achieve that.
My expectations for this book were extremely reasonable. I had never read this author prior to my purchasing this book, and so I was oblivious to his style. But after giving the book a once-over at the rummage sale, I figured it to be worth my time.
I was partially correct.
If I were to be grading this book just on the author's style, I would have given it one star. It proved to be extremely dry at times. In fact, finishing this book took me several months because it got to be such a dry read at times. I would find myself trudging through a section of stuffy British writing by the author, hopeful just to make it to the end of the chapter sooner than later. Upon arriving at the end of said chapter, I literally had to put the book down and leave it sit for weeks (or months) before finding the desire to resume reading it.
The book is well written however, as you would expect it to be. Just well written in a stuffy, dry style. It felt too pretentious, almost as if the author was making sport out of the use of his thesaurus.
As for the content, I'd have to rate the book at 5 stars for that. The author does his job well....almost too well.
My major gripe with the author's content was the unnecessary information he felt it necessary to include. When writing a book like this, that basically chronicles the 250+ year history of an institution like Sotheby's, only the relevant information should make the cut in the final manuscript.
Why Mr. Lacey, his editor, or his publisher....thought it necessary or relevant to make mention of and discuss, the homosexual lifestyle of one or more Sotheby's employees...is beyond me. How someone's sexual preference and lifestyle is relevant to the business they are tasked with conducting, is a stretch of relevancy. It was never linked to key business decisions that were made in Sotheby's history, so why then...is it even brought up and discussed by the author?
Now granted, I tried to remind myself of how dated this book is (late 90's), and that the author is British himself. The 90's certainly were a more ignorant time in terms of LGBT views in society, and maybe the British audience (to which this book feels like it was written) would find amusement, or sport, in the author essentially "dishing" on the homosexual lifestyle of certain Sotheby's employees. But it was totally irrelevant and unnecessary for us to have to trudge though these sorts of things as the reader. (Unless of course, you're that stuffy, pompous, elitist type that finds amusement in diminishing people based on their orientation?)
Other than that, Mr. Lacey goes above and beyond my expectations for "insider information" on Sotheby's and their longstanding rivalry with Christie's. I certainly learned everything I had hoped to learn about their history and business dealings. My only regret was that this book was as dated as it was. It would have been intriguing to follow Sotheby's through the dot-com bubble bursting, and more recently...the housing bubble bursting. At $1.50 from a rummage sale, it certainly served it's purpose....though I'm glad I didn't pay cover price for it back when it was new.
So...all things considered....I'd have to rate this book right in the middle then at 3 stars. Not particularly good enough for me to keep, except maybe as a reference, but interesting enough that I will be loaning it out (or giving away) to a couple people who share my same curiosities for the Sotheby's/Christie's rivalry history.
My expectations for this book were extremely reasonable. I had never read this author prior to my purchasing this book, and so I was oblivious to his style. But after giving the book a once-over at the rummage sale, I figured it to be worth my time.
I was partially correct.
If I were to be grading this book just on the author's style, I would have given it one star. It proved to be extremely dry at times. In fact, finishing this book took me several months because it got to be such a dry read at times. I would find myself trudging through a section of stuffy British writing by the author, hopeful just to make it to the end of the chapter sooner than later. Upon arriving at the end of said chapter, I literally had to put the book down and leave it sit for weeks (or months) before finding the desire to resume reading it.
The book is well written however, as you would expect it to be. Just well written in a stuffy, dry style. It felt too pretentious, almost as if the author was making sport out of the use of his thesaurus.
As for the content, I'd have to rate the book at 5 stars for that. The author does his job well....almost too well.
My major gripe with the author's content was the unnecessary information he felt it necessary to include. When writing a book like this, that basically chronicles the 250+ year history of an institution like Sotheby's, only the relevant information should make the cut in the final manuscript.
Why Mr. Lacey, his editor, or his publisher....thought it necessary or relevant to make mention of and discuss, the homosexual lifestyle of one or more Sotheby's employees...is beyond me. How someone's sexual preference and lifestyle is relevant to the business they are tasked with conducting, is a stretch of relevancy. It was never linked to key business decisions that were made in Sotheby's history, so why then...is it even brought up and discussed by the author?
Now granted, I tried to remind myself of how dated this book is (late 90's), and that the author is British himself. The 90's certainly were a more ignorant time in terms of LGBT views in society, and maybe the British audience (to which this book feels like it was written) would find amusement, or sport, in the author essentially "dishing" on the homosexual lifestyle of certain Sotheby's employees. But it was totally irrelevant and unnecessary for us to have to trudge though these sorts of things as the reader. (Unless of course, you're that stuffy, pompous, elitist type that finds amusement in diminishing people based on their orientation?)
Other than that, Mr. Lacey goes above and beyond my expectations for "insider information" on Sotheby's and their longstanding rivalry with Christie's. I certainly learned everything I had hoped to learn about their history and business dealings. My only regret was that this book was as dated as it was. It would have been intriguing to follow Sotheby's through the dot-com bubble bursting, and more recently...the housing bubble bursting. At $1.50 from a rummage sale, it certainly served it's purpose....though I'm glad I didn't pay cover price for it back when it was new.
So...all things considered....I'd have to rate this book right in the middle then at 3 stars. Not particularly good enough for me to keep, except maybe as a reference, but interesting enough that I will be loaning it out (or giving away) to a couple people who share my same curiosities for the Sotheby's/Christie's rivalry history.
February 14, 2021
For revealing all the tactics auction houses like Sotheby's uses to ensnare bidders, it gets 5 stars. For telling the factual story of the birth and rise of this world-famous auction house it gets 4 stars. But for engaging me it gets 3 stars and hence my rating. I confess that my husband and I are amongst Sotheby's 'customers' but we have worked hard not to be amongst their suckers. This isn't easy as they truly have mastered an entire cookbook of ways to get your paddle (or phone bid) into the air. Lacey reveals auction houses' practises that entice the innocents in -- low estimates, glamorous provenances, chandelier bids (The "ancient tradition of the saleroom for an auctioneer to take imaginary bids 'off the chandelier' until the prearranged reserve price on any item has been reached" p. 69), which means if there is only one bidder in the room ... the bidding has led him to the level of the reserve even if its true value would have been substantially lower. Author Lacey has also pegged many of the reasons auction houses succeed: the need to fill those new empty mansions acquired by the nouveau riche, the thrill of the acquisition, the idea of buying into glamour by connection (for those bidders of celebrity sellers). But as Lacey also warns, "People should be buying to own. If they are buying to resell, then they should be dealers--and they should take the advice of dealers" (p. 312).
This is a book easily skimmed and would serve as a good primer for newcomers at auctions. But if you're looking for the stories of the people behind the house, the book is already 23 years old in 2021 (published in 1998) so most of the personalities are long retired. There are some surprises, however, and for me it was learning that the Duke of Windsor wrote a book on clothes detailing many of his and his father's wardrobe pieces with charming stories of when, where, why and how the various articles should be worn. It was amusing and revealing and I had hoped for more such intimacies. In short, it was a good 'escape from Covid' read unlike what I usually read.
This is a book easily skimmed and would serve as a good primer for newcomers at auctions. But if you're looking for the stories of the people behind the house, the book is already 23 years old in 2021 (published in 1998) so most of the personalities are long retired. There are some surprises, however, and for me it was learning that the Duke of Windsor wrote a book on clothes detailing many of his and his father's wardrobe pieces with charming stories of when, where, why and how the various articles should be worn. It was amusing and revealing and I had hoped for more such intimacies. In short, it was a good 'escape from Covid' read unlike what I usually read.
June 18, 2020
I found this a most interesting history regarding the two big Auction Houses in England the rivalry between Sotheby's and Christie's.
Many tales of successes and failures, of fraud, of snobbery and of international expansion, plus a background of those acting as the varied Chairpersons through the years. An engrossing read.
Many tales of successes and failures, of fraud, of snobbery and of international expansion, plus a background of those acting as the varied Chairpersons through the years. An engrossing read.
September 17, 2018
Liked this one quite a bit. The business-historical theme is developing really smoothly, following a chronological order from the humble beginnings to the multi billion dollars war machine which is Sotheby's. Colorful characters, international intrigues, nicely paced. Recommended.
July 8, 2022
In his reader-friendly writing style, Lacey turns ledger items--who bought which painting for how much--into an interesting tale by focusing on the people--and the scandals--of this venerable institution.
October 1, 2018
3.5 Stars -- A little dry in the middle but overall good given when it was written.
August 9, 2014
I don't know what drew me to this, but whatever did managed to keep me well involved and attentive throughout. just when you thought the drama was over another development would come quickly rolling in. the writing is i guess what performed best here. the subject matter was interesting with intimate anecdotes and details of admittedly egotistical characters, but whom the author subtly encouraged you to root for. it was a sad monemtn when one director Leslie Hyam committed suicide, revealing the addicive nature of himself and other characters. the documented rivalry with Christies also invited an ongoing page turning excitement. notable anecdotes include the auctioning off a space pod on the moon, the deceptiveness and gall of Peter Wilson when negotiating and buying a collection of silver plates from the late roman period, and many more. the plight through the two world wars was also riveting and interesting, begging me to read around those two some more, and the general subject matter of impressionist and master paintings is continuing to entice.
August 17, 2008
Another book I read as the direct result of forgetting to InterLibrary Loan anything I really wanted to read and being forced to rely on what was on the shelves of my little town library. Though I never would have read it otherwise, it was really interesting. I really liked the history of how the auction houses developed, and which the book had spent more time on that as opposed to fairly modern history. Also, I realized when I was almost done that the book must have been written before the Sotheby's scandal, which I vaguely remembered reading about in Vanity fair years ago. Still, lots of interesting information about the art and auction business.
February 16, 2015
An interesting history of the Sotheby's - and by extension the auction business in general - as it developed from the 18th century to the end of the 20th. Written in a pacy, journalistic style, full of characters and moments of suspense and drama in the saleroom, it is also a social and economic history of the art market, from connoisseurs to corporate boardrooms.
July 8, 2008
If you are interested in the history of the auction house Southbys this would be a very interesting book to read.
I learned a lot about how the art market works and how different dynamic personalities can transform a business.
I learned a lot about how the art market works and how different dynamic personalities can transform a business.
April 21, 2008
Super interesting insider's view of the famous auction house.
July 6, 2009
Fair and balanced biography of the great auction house. Very informative and readable book about the art world,
January 2, 2011
Great business and art book.
August 3, 2016
A fascinating look into an enthralling company.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews