Auctioneer. Born in Perth, Scotland he purchased a commission in the Royal Navy and served during the early years of Queen Victoria's reign. Once entered into his 30s, however, he resigned his commission and rented rooms in Pall Mall, London, recently occupied by the print warehouse of Richard Dalton and shared the building with the Royal Academy of Arts, ensuring prominent patrons attend his newly founded sales room. He offered his first auction in December of 1766. Eloquent, dignified, and professional he soon gained a reputation as an auctioneer, even being caricatured in newspapers of the day. In 1779 he moved the auction rooms to a wing of Schomburg House, next door to the artist Thomas Gainsborough; such men composed his social circle. He built a reputation for professionalism and dealing in fine art. When he died at age 73, his eldest son, James, inherited the business which continued to flourish. Today the auction house he founded is a global business, active in 46 countries, with ten sales rooms in such locations as London, Hong Kong, New York, and Milan.
Auctioneer. Born in Perth, Scotland he purchased a commission in the Royal Navy and served during the early years of Queen Victoria's reign. Once entered into his 30s, however, he resigned his commission and rented rooms in Pall Mall, London, recently occupied by the print warehouse of Richard Dalton and shared the building with the Royal Academy of Arts, ensuring prominent patrons attend his newly founded sales room. He offered his first auction in December of 1766. Eloquent, dignified, and professional he soon gained a reputation as an auctioneer, even being caricatured in newspapers of the day. In 1779 he moved the auction rooms to a wing of Schomburg House, next door to the artist Thomas Gainsborough; such men composed his social circle. He built a reputation for professionalism and dealing in fine art. When he died at age 73, his eldest son, James, inherited the business which continued to flourish. Today the auction house he founded is a global business, active in 46 countries, with ten sales rooms in such locations as London, Hong Kong, New York, and Milan.
Bio by: Iola
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