Sotheby's and Amazon.com Launch Joint Auction Site
With every lot guaranteed for authenticity and condition by recognized experts, the new site is off to a flying start, having already generated worldwide interest.
Items for sale on sothebys.amazon.com range in price from $l00 to $100,000 -- and even higher -- and include jewelry, watches, silver, furniture, entertainment and sports memorabilia, fashion, coins, paintings, and photographs.
"This new medium offers new as well as experienced auction bidders access to the two standards that have ensured Sotheby's success since 1744: unrivalled expertise and a vast selection of exciting property," said Diana D. Brooks, president and CEO of Sotheby's.
"Through sothebys.amazon.com, Internet auction buyers -- initially from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany -- can experience the world of Internet auctions, while our live-auction customers will be introduced to a fascinating new dimension of the Sotheby's auction experience."
Among the unique features of the site are low- and high-price estimates for each item; detailed photographs, together with condition reports and item histories; quick purchasing with the Amazon.com Payments technology; and a library of 25 buying guides written by Sotheby's experts.
"In the world of valuable objects, a big problem with online auctions has been authenticity," said Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO, Amazon.com.
"With Sotheby's reputation and expertise in sourcing and authenticating art and valuable objects, and both companies' relentless focus on the customer, auction bidders can now buy these items with complete confidence, because they know what they're getting is the real thing."
Originally a book auction house in London, Sotheby's now has 107 offices in 41 countries, with its main salesrooms in New York and London. It first announced its alliance with Amazon.com in June this year.
Among the items being offered in the launch sale is a presentation copy of the first Harry Potter book, inscribed by English author J.K. Rowling to the woman who first read her manuscript. It is expected to reach $16,000 to 24,000.