The Art of the Steal: Inside the Sotheby's-Christie's Auction House Scandal

The world of high-stakes auctions is shrouded in mystery, glamour, and a touch of intrigue. At the heart of this world are Sotheby's and Christie's, two of the oldest and most prestigious auction houses on the globe. However, beneath the veneer of sophistication and exclusivity, a scandal rocked these bastions of art and luxury, unveiling a side of the business few ever see. 'The Art of the Steal: Inside the Sotheby's-Christie's Auction House Scandal' delves deep into the machinations and maneuvers that led to one of the most shocking antitrust investigations in the art world.

The book takes readers on an engrossing journey through the events leading up to the scandal, focusing on the collusion between Sotheby's and Christie's to rig auction fees. This illegal agreement allowed the houses to inflate commission charges to sellers, which went unnoticed for years. Christopher Mason meticulously narrates the period from the late 1990s to the early 2000s, spotlighting key figures such as A. Alfred Taubman, the former chairman of Sotheby's, and Sir Anthony Tennant, his counterpart at Christie's.

The narrative unravels how whistleblower Christopher Davidge, then CEO of Christie's, decided to report the collusion to authorities in return for immunity. This disclosure sparked an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, leading to hefty fines, jail sentences, and a tarnishing of Sotheby's and Christie's reputations. Mason provides a keenly observed account of the court trials, media frenzy, and the aftermath, painting a vivid picture of the scandal's impact on the auction world and its practices.

• The fine line between competition and collusion in high-stakes industries.
• Understanding the power dynamics within auction houses.
• Roles played by whistleblowers and the repercussions they face.
• Insight into the legalities surrounding antitrust laws and their enforcement.

"The art world is full of smoke and mirrors, and those who thrive in it are often the ones best able to manipulate them."

"The scandal wasn't just a breach of trust—it was a masterclass in the art of manipulation, where loyalty and greed danced hand in hand."

'The Art of the Steal' is not only a riveting exposé of one of the biggest scandals in the art world but also a cautionary tale about the broader implications of corporate greed and the importance of ethical business practices. It offers an insider's look at how two of the most powerful entities in the art world were brought to their knees by their own actions. For art enthusiasts, legal aficionados, or anyone interested in corporate ethics, this book is a compelling read that reveals the vulnerabilities even within industries that seem impenetrable.