On This Day
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English auction house Sotheby's holds its first ever auction (of books) in London

Sotheby's ( SUDH-ə-beez) is a British-founded multinational corporation with headquarters in New York City.

Sotheby's ( SUDH-ə-beez) is a British-founded multinational corporation with headquarters in New York City. It is one of the world's largest brokers of fine and decorative art, jewellery, and collectibles. It has 80 locations in 40 countries, and maintains a significant presence in the UK.

Sotheby's was established on 11 March 1744 in London by Samuel Baker, a bookseller. In 1767, the firm became Baker & Leigh, after George Leigh became a partner, and was renamed to Leigh and Sotheby in 1778 after Baker's death when his nephew, John Sotheby, inherited Baker's share.

Historical Significance

Sotheby's ( SUDH-ə-beez) is a British-founded multinational corporation with headquarters in New York City.

Events Before

  1. French explorers Louis-Joseph and François de La Vérendrye are the first Europeans to reach the foot of the Rocky Mounta

    French explorers Louis-Joseph and François de La Vérendrye are the first Europeans to reach the foot of the Rocky Mountains at the Yellow River, having crossed the Great Plains [1]

  2. George Frideric Handel's oratorio "Messiah" premieres at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London

    George Frideric (or Frederick) Handel was a German-British Baroque composer well-known for his operas, oratorios, anthems, concerti grossi, and organ concerti. Born in Halle, Handel spent his early...

  3. War of the Austrian Succession: King George II of Britain personally leads Allied troops to victory in the Battle of Det

    War of the Austrian Succession: King George II of Britain personally leads Allied troops to victory in the Battle of Dettingen in Bavaria. The last time a British monarch commanded troops in the field.

  4. Champion of England titleholder Jack Broughton publishes "Rules of the Ring," the earliest boxing code

    Champion of England titleholder Jack Broughton publishes "Rules of the Ring," the earliest boxing code

  5. Philadelphia establishes a "pesthouse" to quarantine immigrants

    Philadelphia establishes a "pesthouse" to quarantine immigrants

Events After

  1. Anthony Wayne is born

    Anthony Wayne, American statesman and soldier, known for american statesman and soldier, was born on 1745-01-01.

  2. Future Russian Tsar Peter III marries Ekaterina Alexeievna later Catherine II (Catherine the Great)

    Catherine II (born Princess Sophia Augusta Frederica of Anhalt-Zerbst; 2 May 1729 – 17 November 1796), commonly referred to in various media as Catherine the Great, was the reigning Empress of Russia...

  3. Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army invades England in an attempt to restore the House of Stuart to the British throne

    The Jacobite Army, sometimes referred to as the Highland Army, was the military force assembled by Charles Edward Stuart and his Jacobite supporters during the 1745 Rising that attempted to restore...

  4. Bonnie Prince Charlies' Jacobite army draws close to Glasgow

    Bonnie Prince Charlies' Jacobite army draws close to Glasgow

  5. Britain, Austria, Netherlands & Saxony sign anti-Prussian Quadruple Alliance

    Britain, Austria, Netherlands & Saxony sign anti-Prussian Quadruple Alliance

More from the 1740s

French explorers Louis-Joseph and François de La Vérendrye are the first Europeans to reach the foot of the Rocky Mounta

French explorers Louis-Joseph and François de La Vérendrye are the first Europeans to reach the foot of the Rocky Mountains at the Yellow River, having crossed the Great Plains [1]

birth

Anthony Wayne is born

Anthony Wayne, American statesman and soldier, known for american statesman and soldier, was born on 1745-01-01.

George Frideric Handel's oratorio "Messiah" premieres at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London

George Frideric (or Frederick) Handel was a German-British Baroque composer well-known for his operas, oratorios, anthems, concerti grossi, and organ concerti. Born in Halle, Handel spent his early...

The ruins of Pompeii are rediscovered by Spaniard Roque Joaquín de Alcubierre

The ruins of Pompeii are rediscovered by Spaniard Roque Joaquín de Alcubierre

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on March 11, 1744?
Sotheby's ( SUDH-ə-beez) is a British-founded multinational corporation with headquarters in New York City. It is one of the world's largest brokers of fine and decorative art, jewellery, and collectibles. It has 80 locations in 40 countries, and maintains a significant presence in the UK.
Why is English auction house Sotheby's holds its first ever auction (of books) in Lo... significant?
Sotheby's ( SUDH-ə-beez) is a British-founded multinational corporation with headquarters in New York City.

Explore More

March 11 in HistoryYear 1744