Know the Most Interesting Facts about Auctions
You would laugh on our face if we tell you that auctions and UK auction houses are the latest fad and they started off recently. Auctions have a long history, though, somewhat weird and hard to comprehend. They are time tested methods of bringing the buyers and sellers together under one roof, irrespective of the materials that are at stake. They come in all kind of shapes, sizes and categories. Ancient and medieval history is the witness of auction of human being, animals, precious jewels and what not.
Auctions and auction houses are the fastest and simplest way of selling things and procuring the ones that you desire. With changing societal and economical norms, the process of auctions has undergone several reforms. So, to pay a tribute to this age-old process of transaction, we have brought forward a few facts pertaining to auction that would leave your jaw hanging in surprise.
1. Auctions have a long, rich history that can be dated back to 500 B.C. The word ‘auction’ is derived from the Latin word augeō meaning ‘I increase’, simply what you call at an auction while bidding.
2. Do you know that in earlier times, women were auctioned for marriages? Yes, it is true. According to Herodotus, there was an annual auction of women held for marriage at Babylon. The auction used to showcase the most beautiful and gorgeous women first, and later proceeding to the one that was least beautiful, according to the standards of those days. At that time, it was considered as illegal to marry one’s daughter outside the auction procedure.
3. Are you an admirer of large scale auctions? Then you should have born in 193 A.D. when the whole Roman Empire was literally auctioned off. Now, let us tell you the details. In 193 A.D., Praetorian Guard killed the mighty Emperor Pertinax and then put Rome on auction. Didius Julainus won Rome in this auction for 6,250 drachmas for every guard that started off a small civil war in the country. Till date, no UK auction houses are able to match this kind of auction (pin intended)!
4. During the 17th and 18th century, England saw a new trend in auction and that was auction by candles. The finale of auction was marked by the exhaustion of the candle flame. There were several instances where people bid for huge items including ships even when there was a flicker of flame on the candle wick.
5. Now talking about the auction houses. The very first auction house was Stockholm Auction House. It was opened in the year 1674 in Sweden. The world’s second largest UK auction house was opened in March 1744 by the name Sotheby’s. Currently, Christie’s is the largest auction house of the world and it is located in London.
With all these amazing facts regarding auctions and auction houses, we are sure that now you can’t resist to bid over your favourite antiques. So, what are you waiting for? Start bidding now.
