History of Sothebys International Realty
As a subsidiary of an historic firm with a globally recognized name, Sotheby’s International Realty (SIR) joined a rich tradition when it was created in 1976 as a wholly owned subsidiary of the main company. SIR was conceived as a natural extension of Sotheby’s portfolio of auction services.
The founder of Sotheby’s, Samuel Baker, held the company’s first sale — a book auction – on March 11, 1744. During the intervening 232 years, the company evolved from its role as a book seller to the recognized international leader in auctions of fine and decorative arts, furniture and collectibles.






