Auctions underwent radical changes from the 18^th century when they were held in Coffee Houses. Nowadays many are online and can reach a vast worldwide audience. Edward Millington was one of the first auctioneers of note and was very successful at auctioning paintings until 1703. The great wealth of the Georgian era brought the formation of specialised auction houses. Sotheby’s was founded in 1794 and specialised in dealing with the contents of libraries. Christy’s specialised in country house sales and Phillips in jewellery and designer furniture. With the opening of art galleries such as the Royal Academy art was available to more people as previously it was primarily available to those who had commissioned it. Through these galleries great artists such as William Blake, Constable, Gainsborough and Turner became well known, their art was sought after and a second-hand art market flourished. The auction houses became great as they sold great collections such as the Hamilton Collection sale of 1801.

Fabulous slides showing Impressionist and other paintings auctioned by the mid-20^th century illustrated some of the many art movements across the world which the auction houses would sell. Fascinating examples of how auctions can either inflate or deflate the value of paintings showed just how influential auction houses can be. Nowadays auction houses only need a few worldwide sales every year as since the pandemic they concentrate on great collections.