COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 453998

Auction Houses

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

14companies1766–1999founding years14still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedChristie's International plcFoundedChristie's International plc
1766
FoundedRand McNally & CompanyFoundedRand McNally & Company
1856
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedSally Beauty Company, Inc.FoundedSally Beauty Company, Inc.
1964
FoundedAEON Co., Ltd.FoundedAEON Co., Ltd.
1969
FoundedUny Co., Ltd.FoundedUny Co., Ltd.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
FoundedSuccessories, Inc.FoundedSuccessories, Inc.
1990
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
FoundedCollectors Universe, Inc.FoundedCollectors Universe, Inc.
1999
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Christie's International plc →
Active · founded 1766 · United Kingdom
Christie's International plc oversees the operations of one of the world's premier art auction houses.
Christie's International plc →
Active · founded 1766 · United Kingdom
Christie's International plc oversees the operations of one of the world's premier art auction houses.
Rand McNally & Company →
Active · founded 1856
Rand McNally & Company, a leading U.S.
Rand McNally & Company →
Active · founded 1856
Rand McNally & Company, a leading U.S.
Sally Beauty Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1964
Sally began to court a slightly different group of customers beginning in the mid-1990s, when it developed a new…
Sally Beauty Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1964
Sally began to court a slightly different group of customers beginning in the mid-1990s, when it developed a new…
AEON Co., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1969 · Japan
Formerly known as JUSCO AEON Co., Ltd.
AEON Co., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1969 · Japan
Formerly known as JUSCO AEON Co., Ltd.
Uny Co., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1971 · Japan
Early 20th century:[fs54]Choju Nishikawaya opens a footwear store in Nudge, the largest city in Chubu.
Uny Co., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1971 · Japan
Early 20th century:[fs54]Choju Nishikawaya opens a footwear store in Nudge, the largest city in Chubu.
Successories, Inc. →
Active · founded 1990
Successories, Inc.
Successories, Inc. →
Active · founded 1990
Successories, Inc.
Collectors Universe, Inc. →
Active · founded 1999
Collectors Universe, Inc.
Collectors Universe, Inc. →
Active · founded 1999
Collectors Universe, Inc.
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