NEW YORK AND SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA.- Sotheby’s, the world’s oldest fine arts auctioneer, and eBay Inc., the world’s online marketplace, launched their strategic online alliance. This alliance includes three major components:

The companies introduced Sothebys.com online auctions into the eBay marketplace. The site features the same collecting categories of fine and decorative art, antiques, rare books, jewelry and collectibles currently offered on Sothebys.com. All items offered will continue to be guaranteed by sellers for authenticity and condition. The new Sothebys.com site on eBay will be built and hosted by eBay.

Sotheby’s adopted eBay’s Live Auctions technology to enable real-time online bidding for a significant number of Sotheby’s traditional auctions held in New York and London. This technology allows eBay users to participate in the excitement of a Sotheby’s traditional auction by bidding online from their home or office.

The companies market Sothebys.com across both online and traditional media. The new site replaced online auctions on Sothebys.com as well as eBay Premier, and is accessible from both the eBay and Sotheby’s websites.

"Sotheby’s and eBay have complementary strengths," said Meg Whitman, president and CEO of eBay Inc. "eBay has a vibrant global marketplace and a proven technology platform. Sotheby’s offers outstanding art expertise and a network of worldwide dealers and auction houses with a track record of selling the world’s finest art, antiques and collectibles. We believe that together we will achieve great success."

"We are very excited about our new relationship with eBay," commented Bill Ruprecht, Sotheby’s CEO. "This alliance with the most successful online marketplace in the world combines eBay’s powerful technology platform and global following of 42 million registered users with Sotheby’s unmatched auction expertise and experience. It represents the next phase in Sotheby’s online auction business, and we believe it will positively position Sothebys.com for future growth."

Property posted on the new online destination will come from Sotheby’s and its network of dealers and regional auction houses around the world. In addition, selected eBay Premier dealers and Butterfields Auctioneers, a subsidiary of eBay Inc., will become sellers of arts, antiques and collectibles on the new site. Sothebys.com’s Dealer Associates are recognized experts in their respective fields. They adhere to strict standards for quality and integrity, offering a vast selection of fine and decorative art, antiques, rare books, jewelry and collectibles online. Every item offered on Sothebys.com is guaranteed by the seller for both authenticity and condition, so collectors can feel at ease buying rare and valuable items online.