Most scholars agree that the earliest recorded account of auctions was written by the Greek historian, Herodotus, around 500 B.C. He described Babylonian wedding auctions where women were sold for the purpose of marriage. These were descending auctions. The offers for brides started high and went down until a bidder accepted the maiden. Less comely women had to pay a dowry to be accepted and thus the price could be negative.
After a military victory a Roman soldier would plant his spear in the ground to mark the location of his spoils. Later he would put these goods up for sale at auctions. The now-rare term, subhastation, meaning sale by auction, came from Latin, subhastare (to sell by public auction) which in turn comes from sub (under) and hasta (spear). Subhastare - under the spear. Roman business agents were said to have accompanied warriors into battle to facilitate the expected sales. Ancient Rome holds the title of history's most preposterous auction. In the year 193 A.D., the Praetorian Guard killed Pertinax, the emperor, and put the entire Roman Empire on the auction block for sale to the highest bidder. The Empire was purchased by Didius Julianus.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, history does not reveal a great deal about auctions until the European Middle Ages. King Henry VII of England instituted some of the earliest auction laws, including auction licenses, in the 15th century.
Soon after the colonization of America, the accepted manner of selling furs, clapboard and other necessities was at auction. History of the early colonial period in New England make little mention of the auctioneer until the move into the western frontier began. The settlers were selling their land, crops and other precious items under the auctioneer's banner.
Today, auctions are a part of the American way of life. Real Estate sold at auctions amounts to billions of dollars and includes all kinds of properties touching on every type of residence, business and trade. Karlin Daniel & Associates has played a significant role in shaping the history of auctions in modern times. As pioneers in the Florida auction industry, we have sold publicly owned property for governments including a historic courthouse. Universities and museums have employed our expertise to help settle estates bequeathed to them by the rich and famous. Our gavel has presided in the public auctioning of miles of precious oceanfront land and thousands of acres of farmland. We are proud of our profession and the reputation we have earned through the years.
