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Trading in London since its foundation by James Christie in 1766, Christie’s, still a private company, is now the biggest auction house in the world. With auction rooms in 13 countries, it has an annual turnover of over US $6 billion (2013). While the bulk of the company’s income is derived from art, Christie’s also auction furniture, jewelry, manuscripts, houses and collectables – from 20th century posters to teddy bears.
This set includes Christie’s two London auction rooms, from the assessment of items that the public bring for possible inclusion in an auction, the warehouses where Christie’s experts examine and catalogue items for their next sale, and the preparation and hanging in the sale rooms, to the pre-sale parties.