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There are auction houses (locations where auctions are held, typically a type of commercial facility, on some regular basis, as compared to onsite auctions, which take place at the owner’s location, usually once) all over the world.

Who operates the oldest auction house? Where is the oldest auction house located?

From their website, it appears Stockholms Auktionsverk is it.

Stockholms Auktionsverk was founded in 1674, which makes it the oldest auction house in the world still in business today. The house was founded by Baron Claes Rålamb. The clients who have passed through our doors over the years include King Karl XI, who sold hunting rifles for 900 silver daler, King Gustav III who purchased Rembrandt’s “Kitchen Maid,” and August Strindberg, who bought books.

Up until 1993, Stockholms Auktionsverk was owned by the City of Stockholm, but now it is in private hands. Tradition and innovation have proved to be a successful combination, and the company is the leading auction house in Sweden today.

Since 2002, Stockholms Auktionsverk has been domiciled at Nybrogatan 32 and at Magasin 5 in Frihamnen. The company has offices in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö, as well as representatives based at a number of locations in Sweden and the rest of Europe.

The second oldest appears to be: Goteborgs Auktionsverk founded in 1681.

The third oldest appears to be: Uppsala Auktionskammare, founded in 1731.

Sotheby’s was founded in 1744; Christie’s was founded in 1766.

Mike Brandly, Auctioneer, CAI, AARE has been an auctioneer and certified appraiser for over 30 years. His company’s auctions are located at: Mike Brandly, Auctioneer, Keller Williams Auctions and Goodwill Columbus Car Auction. His Facebook page is: www.facebook.com/mbauctioneer. He is Executive Director of The Ohio Auction School.