Sotheby's (BID) 10-Q 7 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'SOTHEBYS	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000823094	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	68,936,698

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Revenues:	'		'
Agency revenues	$123,128		$94,175
Principal revenues	26,001		1,083
Finance revenues	5,682		4,933
License fee revenues	1,697		1,186
Other revenues	303		368
Total revenues	156,811		101,745
Expenses:	'		'
Agency direct costs	10,437		8,449
Cost of Principal revenues	24,502		700
Cost of Finance revenues	710		0
Marketing expenses	3,133		4,687
Salaries and related costs	65,756		60,695
General and administrative expenses	37,332		44,011
Depreciation and amortization expense	5,147		4,516
Special charges	5,703		0
Total expenses	152,720		123,058
Operating income (loss)	4,091		-21,313
Interest income	416		386
Interest expense	-8,783		-12,515
Other (expense) income	-1,442		1,699
Loss before taxes	-5,718	[1]	-31,743	[1]
Equity in earnings of investees, net of taxes	154		2
Income tax expense (benefit)	331		-9,396
Net loss	-5,895		-22,345
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-219		0
Net loss attributable to Sotheby's	($6,114)		($22,345)
Basic and diluted loss per share - Sotheby’s common shareholders (usd per share)	($0.09)		($0.33)
Weighted average basic and diluted shares outstanding (shares)	69,143		67,951
Cash dividends paid per common share (usd per share)	$4.44		$0
[1]	* For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, Finance segment income before taxes includes $1.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively, of intercompany charges from Sotheby's global treasury function. As the Finance segment continues to implement the debt financing of its loan portfolio, it is expected that such charges will decrease (see Notes 5 and 6).

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Net loss	($5,895)	($22,345)
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes of ($477) for the three months ended March 31, 2013	1,468	-24,100
Reclassification of cumulative translation adjustment included in net loss	2,058	0
Amortization of previously unrecognized net pension losses included in net loss, net of tax of $117 and $83	472	279
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3,998	-23,821
Comprehensive loss	-1,897	-46,166
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-219	0
Comprehensive loss attributable to Sotheby's	($2,116)	($46,166)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Taxes - Foreign currency translation adjustment	$0	($477)
Taxes - Amortization of previously unrecognized net pension losses	$117	$83

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$322,218	$721,315	$608,200
Restricted cash	17,495	32,146	6,892
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $7,030, $6,939, and $6,186	522,886	812,582	467,030
Notes receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $1,821, $1,746 and $1,478	163,443	176,529	121,417
Inventory	177,639	192,140	91,797
Deferred income taxes and income tax receivable	31,766	12,385	40,168
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	39,034	25,176	48,732
Total Current Assets	1,274,481	1,972,273	1,384,236
Notes receivable	315,067	336,896	309,730
Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $182,178, $178,841 and $166,862	375,779	379,399	370,538
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $6,463, $6,484, and $6,023	14,870	14,850	14,406
Equity method investments	10,744	11,040	15,140
Deferred income taxes and income tax receivable	48,395	55,520	52,928
Trust assets related to deferred compensation liability	52,984	53,231	50,088
Pension asset	38,997	37,284	18,136
Other long-term assets	19,421	33,053	55,318
Total Assets	2,150,738	2,893,546	2,270,520
Current Liabilities	'	'	'
Due to consignors	413,641	922,275	331,236
Current portion of long-term debt, net	3,581	3,630	183,492
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	127,388	176,709	93,652
Client deposit	0	0	63,000
Accrued and deferred income taxes	14,421	26,040	5,144
Other current liabilities	11,814	13,835	31,025
Total Current Liabilities	570,845	1,142,489	707,549
Credit facility borrowings	185,000	0	0
Long-term debt, net	515,161	515,148	515,160
Accrued and deferred income taxes	19,949	22,392	17,968
Deferred compensation liability	52,081	51,831	47,657
Other long-term liabilities	11,244	22,021	37,041
Total Liabilities	1,354,280	1,753,881	1,325,375
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 9)	'	'	'
Shareholders' Equity:	'	'	'
Common Stock, $0.01 par value, Authorized shares at March 31, 2014 - 200,000,000, Issued shares - 69,494,869, 69,131,892 and 68,280,749; Outstanding shares - 68,936,698, 69,131,892, and 68,280,749	695	691	683
Additional paid-in capital	388,530	387,477	366,330
Treasury stock, at cost: 558,171 shares at March 31, 2014	-25,000	0	0
Retained earnings	467,130	790,603	652,006
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-35,455	-39,453	-74,196
Total Shareholders' Equity	795,900	1,139,318	944,823
Noncontrolling interest	558	347	322
Total Equity	796,458	1,139,665	945,145
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$2,150,738	$2,893,546	$2,270,520

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	$7,030	$6,939	$6,186
Allowance for credit losses	1,821	1,746	1,478
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	182,178	178,841	166,862
Accumulated amortization, intangible assets	$6,463	$6,484	$6,023
Common stock, par value (usd per share)	$0.01	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (shares)	200,000,000	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (shares)	69,494,869	69,131,892	68,280,749
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)	68,936,698	69,131,892	68,280,749
Treasury stock, shares outstanding (shares)	558,171,000	0	0

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Carrying Value Of Convertible Note Hedge Reclassified to Other Current Assets	'	$21,800,000
Liability for Conversion Option Reclassified to Stockholders Equity	'	21,800,000
Operating Activities:	'	'
Net loss	-6,114,000	-22,345,000
Adjustments to reconcile net ioss to net cash used by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	5,147,000	4,516,000
Loss from cumulative translation adjustment upon liquidation of foreign subsidiary	2,058,000	0
Deferred income tax expense	415,000	4,263,000
Share-based payments	6,247,000	4,432,000
Net pension benefit	-173,000	-287,000
Inventory writedowns and bad debt provisions	1,309,000	749,000
Amortization of debt discount	891,000	2,933,000
Excess tax benefits from share-based payments	-3,121,000	-2,715,000
Other	894,000	203,000
Changes in assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	340,957,000	119,530,000
Due to consignors	-524,796,000	-253,328,000
Inventory	-1,587,000	-1,564,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-7,313,000	-1,554,000
Other long-term assets	-2,259,000	-855,000
Income tax receivable and deferred income tax assets	-11,189,000	-11,751,000
Accrued income taxes and deferred income tax liabilities	-12,856,000	-22,744,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and other liabilities	-56,642,000	14,433,000
Net cash used by operating activities	-268,132,000	-166,084,000
Investing Activities:	'	'
Funding of notes receivable	-75,661,000	-54,841,000
Collections of notes receivable	88,730,000	65,955,000
Capital expenditures	-2,210,000	-4,308,000
Distributions from equity investees	575,000	0
Decrease in restricted cash	14,556,000	24,191,000
Proceeds from the sale of equity method investment	50,000	0
Net cash provided by investing activities	26,040,000	30,997,000
Financing Activities:	'	'
Proceeds from credit facility borrowings	185,000,000	0
Repayments of York Property Mortgage	-927,000	-622,000
Repurchase of common stock	-25,000,000	0
Dividends paid	-310,809,000	0
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	0	322,000
Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options	967,000	2,155,000
Excess tax benefits from share-based payments	3,121,000	2,715,000
Funding of employee tax obligations upon the vesting of share-based payments	-10,141,000	-11,343,000
Net cash used by financing activities	-157,789,000	-6,773,000
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	784,000	-18,287,000
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-399,097,000	-160,147,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	721,315,000	768,347,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$322,218,000	$608,200,000

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - Parenthetical (Parentheticals) (Convertible Notes [Member])	0 Months Ended
	Jun. 20, 2008
Convertible Notes [Member]	'
Stated interest rate of convertible debt	3.13%

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein have been prepared by Sotheby’s pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States of America (the “U.S.”) have been condensed or omitted from this report, as is permitted by such rules and regulations; however, the management of Sotheby’s believes that the disclosures herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading and that all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are reflected in the interim periods presented. It is suggested that these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in Sotheby’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
	The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Sotheby’s, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and Sotheby's Beijing Auction Co., Ltd ("Sotheby's Beijing"), a joint venture formed in September 2012 in which Sotheby's has a controlling 80% ownership interest. The net income attributable to the minority owner of Sotheby's Beijing, which was not material prior to 2014, is reported as "Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest" in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and the non-controlling 20% ownership interest is reported as "Noncontrolling Interest" within the equity section of the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Seasonality_of_Business

Seasonality of Business	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Seasonality Of Business [Abstract]	'
Seasonality of Business	'
	Seasonality of Business
	The worldwide art auction market has two principal selling seasons, which generally occur in the second and fourth quarters of the year. In the aggregate, second and fourth quarter Net Auction Sales (which represents the hammer price of property sold at auction) represented 83% and 84% of total Net Auction Sales in 2013 and 2012, respectively, with auction commission revenues comprising approximately 81% of Sotheby's total revenues in those years. Accordingly, Sotheby’s financial results are seasonal, with peak revenues and operating income generally occurring in the second and fourth quarters. Consequently, first and third quarter results have historically reflected lower revenues when compared to the second and fourth quarters and, typically, a net loss due to the fixed nature of many of Sotheby’s operating expenses.

Earnings_Loss_Per_Share

Earnings (Loss) Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings (Loss) Per Share	'
	Loss Per Share
	Basic loss per share—Basic loss per share attributable to Sotheby's common shareholders is computed under the two-class method using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The two-class method requires that the amount of net income attributable to participating securities be deducted from consolidated net income in the computation of basic earnings per share. In periods with a net loss, the net loss attributable to participating securities is not deducted from consolidated net loss in the computation of basic loss per share as the impact would be anti-dilutive. Sotheby's only participating securities are unvested restricted stock units, which have non-forfeitable rights to dividends.
	Diluted loss per share—Diluted loss per share attributable to Sotheby's common shareholders is computed in a similar manner to basic loss per share under the two-class method, using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and, if dilutive, the weighted average number of potential common shares outstanding during the period. Sotheby's potential common shares include unvested performance share units held by employees, incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of employee stock options, deferred stock units held by members of the Board of Directors, convertible debt, and common stock warrants. (See Note 6 for information on Sotheby's 3.125% Convertible Notes, which were settled in June 2013, and the related common stock warrants. See Note 12 for information on Sotheby's share-based payment programs.)
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, 2.0 million and 2.2 million potential common shares, respectively, related to unvested performance share units and stock options were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because Sotheby's reported a net loss in each of the periods, and therefore, their inclusion in the computation would be anti-dilutive.
	The table below summarizes the computation of basic and diluted loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Numerator:
	Net loss attributable to Sotheby’s	$	(6,114	)	$	(22,345	)
	Less: Net income attributable to participating securities	—			—
	Net loss attributable to Sotheby’s common shareholders	$	(6,114	)	$	(22,345	)
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding	69,143			67,951
	Basic and diluted loss per share - Sotheby’s common shareholders	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.33	)

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting	'
	Segment Reporting
	Sotheby’s operations are organized under three segments—Agency, Principal, and Finance. The table below presents Sotheby’s revenues and (loss) income before taxes by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands of dollars):
	Three Months ended March 31, 2014	Agency			Principal			Finance		All Other		Reconciling items			Total
	Revenues	$	123,128		$	26,001		$	8,215	$	2,000	$	(2,533	)	$	156,811
	Segment (loss) income before taxes*	$	(7,191	)	$	949		$	5,164	$	1,343	$	(5,983	)	$	(5,718	)
	Three Months ended March 31, 2013	Agency			Principal			Finance		All Other		Reconciling items			Total
	Revenues	$	94,175		$	1,083		$	7,117	$	1,554	$	(2,184	)	$	101,745
	Segment (loss) income before taxes*	$	(36,908	)	$	(942	)	$	5,163	$	948	$	(4	)	$	(31,743	)
	* For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, Finance segment income before taxes includes $1.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively, of intercompany charges from Sotheby's global treasury function. As the Finance segment continues to implement the debt financing of its loan portfolio, it is expected that such charges will decrease (see Notes 5 and 6).
	In the table of segment information above, the reconciling items related to Revenues consist principally of charges from the Finance segment to the Agency segment for secured loans issued with an interest rate below the Finance's segment's target rate. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the reconciling items related to segment (loss) income before taxes consist of Special Charges of $5.7 million (see Note 13) and Sotheby's pre-tax share of earnings related to equity investees ($0.3 million). For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the reconciling item related to segment (loss) income before taxes consists solely of Sotheby's pre-tax share of earnings related to equity investees. Such equity earnings are included in the table above on a pre-tax basis as part of Principal segment income (loss), but are presented net of taxes in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, Agency segment revenues consisted of the following (in thousands of dollars):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Auction commissions	$	104,673		$	78,564
	Private sale commissions	13,055			13,624
	Auction guarantee and inventory activities	670			(575		)
	Other Agency revenues	4,730			2,562
	Total Agency segment revenues	$	123,128		$	94,175
	Auction guarantee and inventory activities consist mainly of gains and losses related to auction guarantees including: (i) Sotheby's share of overage or shortfall related to guaranteed property offered or sold at auction, (ii) writedowns to the carrying value of previously guaranteed property that failed to sell at auction, and (iii) recoveries and losses on the eventual sale of previously guaranteed property that failed to sell at auction. Other Agency revenues principally includes commissions and other fees earned by Sotheby's on sales brokered by third parties, fees charged to clients for catalogue production and insurance, catalogue subscription revenues, and advertising revenues.
	The table below presents Sotheby's assets by segment, as well as a reconciliation of segment assets to consolidated assets as of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013 (in thousands of dollars):
		March 31, 2014			December 31,			March 31, 2013
					2013
	Agency	$	1,477,104		$	2,261,482		$	1,686,220
	Principal	90,271			82,560			86,560
	Finance	501,822			480,103			403,701
	All Other	1,380			1,496			943
	Total Segment Assets	2,070,577			2,825,641			2,177,424
	Unallocated amounts:
	Deferred tax assets and income tax receivable	80,161			67,905			93,096
	Consolidated assets	$	2,150,738		$	2,893,546		$	2,270,520

Receivables

Receivables	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net [Abstract]	'
Receivables	'
	Receivables
	Accounts Receivable, Net—Through its Agency segment, Sotheby's accepts property on consignment and matches sellers (also known as consignors) to buyers through the auction or private sale process. Following the sale, Sotheby's invoices the buyer for the purchase price of the property (including the commission owed by the buyer), collects payment from the buyer, and remits to the consignor the net sale proceeds after deducting its commissions, expenses and applicable taxes and royalties. Sotheby's auction commissions include those paid by the buyer ("buyer's premium") and those paid by the seller ("seller's commission") (collectively, "auction commission revenue"), both of which are calculated as a percentage of the hammer price of the property sold at auction. For private sales, Sotheby's enters into a legally binding agreement with the seller, which outlines the terms of the arrangement including the desired sale price and the amount or rate of commission to be earned upon completion of the sale. In certain situations, Sotheby’s may also execute a legally binding agreement with the buyer stipulating the terms of the private sale transaction.
	Under Sotheby’s standard auction payment terms, payments from buyers are due no more than 30 days from the sale date and payments to the consignor are due 35 days from the sale date. For private sales, payment from the buyer is typically due on the sale date, with the net sale proceeds being due to the consignor shortly thereafter. Extended payment terms are sometimes provided to a buyer and, for auctions, can vary considerably from selling season to selling season. Such terms typically extend the payment due date to a date that is no longer than one year from the sale date. In limited circumstances, the payment due date may be extended to a date that is beyond one year from the sale date. Any changes from the standard auction and private sale payment terms are subject to management approval under Sotheby's policy. When providing extended payment terms, Sotheby’s attempts to match the timing of cash receipt from the buyer with the timing of payment to the consignor, but is not always successful in doing so. As of December 31, 2013, $16 million of buyer receivables and $15.3 million of amounts due to consignors were classified within Other Long-Term Assets and Other Long-Term Liabilities, respectively, based on their corresponding payment due dates. As of March 31, 2014, these amounts were reclassified to Accounts Receivable (net) and Due to Consignors, respectively, based on their corresponding payment due dates. As of March 31, 2013, $35.7 million of buyer receivables (of which $32.1 million related to one buyer) and $30.6 million of amounts due to consignors were classified within Other Long-Term Assets and Other Long-Term Liabilities, respectively, based on their corresponding payment due dates. The property related to these buyer receivables has not been released to the buyer and is in the possession of Sotheby's.
	Under the standard terms and conditions of its auction and private sales, Sotheby’s is not obligated to pay the consignor for property that has not been paid for by the buyer. If a buyer defaults on payment, the sale may be cancelled, and the property will be returned to the consignor. Alternatively, the consignor may reoffer the property at a future Sotheby's auction or negotiate a private sale with Sotheby's acting as its agent. In certain instances and subject to management approval under Sotheby’s policy, the consignor may be paid the net sale proceeds before payment is collected from the buyer and/or the buyer may be allowed to take possession of the property before making payment. In situations when the buyer takes possession of the property before making payment, Sotheby’s is liable to the seller for the net sales proceeds whether or not the buyer makes payment. As of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013, Accounts Receivable (net) included $176.1 million, $130.5 million, and $186 million, respectively, related to situations when Sotheby's paid the consignor all or a portion of the net sales proceeds before payment was collected from the buyer. As of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013, Accounts Receivable (net) also included $92.1 million, $92.1 million, and $70 million, respectively, related to situations when the buyer was allowed to take possession of the property before making payment to Sotheby’s.
	Notes Receivable, Net—As of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013, Notes Receivable (net) consisted of the following (in thousands of dollars):
			March 31,		December 31,		March 31,
			2014		2013		2013
	Finance segment:
	Consignor advances		$	96,338	$	139,007	$	101,740
	Term loans		360,830		335,426		298,863
	Total Finance segment secured loans		457,168		474,433		400,603
	Agency segment:
	Agency guarantee advances		7,725		28,000		24,877
	Agency consignor advance		3,000		—		—
	Unsecured loan		2,142		2,142		2,142
	Principal segment:
	Secured loans		5,525		5,825		3,525
	Other:
	Unsecured loan		2,950		3,025		—
	Total Notes Receivable (net)		$	478,510	$	513,425	$	431,147
	Notes Receivable (Finance Segment)—Through its Finance segment, Sotheby’s provides certain collectors and art dealers with financing secured by works of art that Sotheby's either has in its possession or permits borrowers to possess. The Finance segment generally makes two types of secured loans: (1) advances secured by consigned property where the borrowers are contractually committed, in the near term, to sell the property through Sotheby's (a “consignor advance”); and (2) general purpose term loans secured by property not presently intended for sale (a “term loan”).
	A consignor advance allows a seller to receive funds upon consignment for an auction or private sale that will typically occur up to one year in the future. Consignor advances normally have maturities of up to six months and are often issued interest-free as an incentive to the consignor for entering into the consignment agreement. Such interest-free consignor advances can represent a significant portion of the Finance segment loan portfolio as of the end of certain quarterly reporting periods in advance of peak selling seasons. Interest bearing consignor advances typically carry a variable rate of interest.
	Term loans allow Sotheby's to establish or enhance mutually beneficial relationships with borrowers and may generate future auction or private sale consignments and/or purchases. Term loans normally have initial maturities of up to two years and typically carry a variable market rate of interest.
	Historically, the lending activities of the Finance segment have been funded by the operating cash flows of the Agency segment with the ability to supplement those cash flows with revolving credit facility borrowings. In January 2014, Sotheby's established a separate capital structure for the Finance segment through which the Finance segment now predominantly relies on revolving credit facility borrowings to fund client loans. Cash balances are also used to fund a portion of the Finance segment loan portfolio, as appropriate. Upon the establishment of the separate capital structure for the Finance segment, $170 million was immediately drawn from its revolving credit facility to initiate the debt financing of the client loan portfolio and an additional $15 million was borrowed in March 2014. (See Note 6 for information related to the Finance segment's revolving credit facility.)
	In certain situations, term loans are also made to refinance clients' auction and private sale purchases. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Finance segment made $7.1 million and $6.7 million, respectively, of such loans. These loans are accounted for as non-cash transfers between Accounts Receivable (net) and Notes Receivable (net) and are, therefore, not reflected as collections of Notes Receivable within investing activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Upon repayment, the cash received in settlement of such loans is classified within operating activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. As of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013, Notes Receivable (net) included $63.9 million, $72.9 million, and $76.4 million, respectively, of such loans.
	The collection of secured loans can be adversely impacted by a decline in the art market in general or in the value of the particular collateral. In addition, in situations when there are competing claims on the collateral and/or when a borrower becomes subject to bankruptcy or insolvency laws, Sotheby’s ability to realize on its collateral may be limited or delayed.
	Sotheby’s target loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratio, which is defined as the principal loan amount divided by the low auction estimate of the collateral, is 50% or lower. However, loans are also made at an initial LTV higher than 50%. In addition, as a result of the periodic revaluation of loan collateral, the LTV ratio of certain loans may increase above the 50% target due to decreases in the low auction estimates of the collateral. The revaluation of loan collateral is performed by Sotheby’s specialists on an annual basis or more frequently if there is a material change in circumstances related to the loan or the disposal plans for the collateral. Management believes that the LTV ratio is the critical credit quality indicator for Finance segment secured loans.
	The table below provides the aggregate LTV ratio for the Finance segment portfolio of secured loans as of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013 (in thousands of dollars):
			March 31,		December 31,		March 31,
			2014		2013		2013
	Finance segment secured loans		$	457,168	$	474,433	$	400,603
	Low auction estimate of collateral		$	1,075,376	$	1,180,406	$	869,264
	Aggregate LTV ratio		43%		40%		46%
	The table below provides the aggregate LTV ratio for Finance segment secured loans with an LTV above 50% as of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013 (in thousands of dollars):
			March 31,		December 31,		March 31,
			2014		2013		2013
	Finance segment secured loans with an LTV above 50%		$	169,783	$	181,027	$	131,618
	Low auction estimate of collateral related to Finance segment secured loans with an LTV above 50%		$	268,621	$	295,255	$	200,711
	Aggregate LTV ratio of Finance segment secured loans with an LTV above 50%		63%		61%		66%
	The table below provides other credit quality information regarding Finance segment secured loans as of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013 (in thousands of dollars):
			March 31,		December 31,		March 31,
			2014		2013		2013
	Total secured loans		$	457,168	$	474,433	$	400,603
	Loans past due		$	18,791	$	24,129	$	27,269
	Loans more than 90 days past due		$	12,483	$	1,266	$	24,727
	Non-accrual loans		$	—	$	—	$	—
	Impaired loans		$	—	$	—	$	—
	Allowance for credit losses:
	Allowance for credit losses - impaired loans		$	—	$	—	$	—
	Allowance for credit losses based on historical data		1,821		1,746		1,478
	Total Allowance for Credit Losses - secured loans		$	1,821	$	1,746	$	1,478
	Management considers a loan to be past due when principal payments are not paid in accordance with the stated terms of the loan. As of March 31, 2014, $18.8 million of the Notes Receivable (net) balance was considered to be past due, of which $12.5 million was more than 90 days past due. The collateral securing these loans has low auction estimates of approximately $49 million and $29.3 million, respectively. Sotheby's is continuing to accrue interest on these past due loans. In consideration of the value of the remaining collateral securing these past due loans, current collateral disposal plans, and negotiations with the borrowers, management believes that the principal and interest amounts due for past due loans will be collected.
	A non-accrual loan is a loan for which future Finance revenue is not recorded due to management’s determination that it is probable that future interest on the loan is not collectible. Any cash receipts subsequently received on non-accrual loans are first applied to reduce the recorded principal balance of the loan, with any proceeds in excess of the principal balance then applied to interest owed by the borrower. The recognition of Finance revenue may resume on a non-accrual loan if sufficient additional collateral is provided by the borrower or if management becomes aware of other circumstances that indicate that it is probable that the borrower will make future interest payments on the loan. As of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013, there were no non-accrual loans outstanding.
	A loan is considered to be impaired when management determines that it is probable that a portion of the principal and interest owed by the borrower will not be recovered after taking into account the estimated realizable value of the collateral securing the loan, as well as the ability of the borrower to repay any shortfall between the value of the collateral and the amount of the loan. If a loan is considered to be impaired, Finance revenue is no longer recognized and bad debt expense is recorded for any principal or accrued interest that is deemed uncollectible. As of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013, there were no impaired loans outstanding.
	During the period January 1, 2014 to March 31, 2014, activity related to the Allowance for Credit Losses was as follows (in thousands of dollars):
	Allowance for credit losses as of January 1, 2014	$	1,746
	Change in loan loss provision	75
	Allowance for credit losses as of March 31, 2014	$	1,821
	As of March 31, 2014, unfunded commitments to extend additional credit through Sotheby's Finance segment were $24.9 million.
	On April 17, 2014, Sotheby’s borrowed an additional $110 million under the Finance segment's revolving credit facility to fund further growth of the loan portfolio and to continue the process of debt financing existing loans (see Note 6). As of April 30, 2014, the Finance segment loan portfolio was approximately $572 million.
	Notes Receivable (Agency Segment)—Sotheby’s is obligated under the terms of certain auction guarantees to advance a portion of the guaranteed amount prior to the auction. In addition, in certain limited situations, the Agency segment will provide consignor advances to clients. Such auction guarantee and consignor advances are recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets within Notes Receivable (net). As of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013, auction guarantee advances totaled $7.7 million, $28 million, and $24.9 million, respectively (see Note 10). As of March 31, 2014, Agency segment consignor advances totaled $3 million.
	Under certain circumstances, Sotheby's, through its Agency segment, finances the purchase of works of art by unaffiliated art dealers through unsecured loans. The property purchased pursuant to such unsecured loans is sold privately or at auction with any profit or loss shared by Sotheby's and the art dealer. As of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013, one such unsecured loan totaled $2.1 million. Sotheby's is no longer accruing interest with respect to this unsecured loan.
	Notes Receivable (Principal Segment)—Under certain circumstances, the Principal segment provides secured loans to certain art dealers to finance the purchase of works of art. In these situations, Sotheby's acquires a partial ownership interest in the purchased property in addition to providing the loan. Upon its eventual sale, the loan is repaid, and any profit or loss is shared by Sotheby's and the dealer according to their respective ownership interests. As of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013, such loans totaled $5.5 million, $5.8 million, and $3.5 million, respectively.
Notes Receivable (Other)—In the second quarter of 2013, Sotheby's sold its interest in an equity method investee for $4.3 million, and, as a result, recognized a gain of $0.3 million. The sale price was funded by an upfront cash payment to Sotheby's of $0.8 million and the issuance of a $3.5 million unsecured loan. This loan matures in December 2018, is being charged a variable market rate of interest, and requires monthly payments during the loan term. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the carrying value of this loan was approximately $3 million.

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Instruments [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	Debt
	Revolving Credit Facilities—On August 31, 2009, Sotheby's and certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries entered into a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with an international syndicate of lenders led by General Electric Capital Corporation. Subsequent to August 31, 2009, the Credit Agreement was amended on several occasions, including an amendment in December 2012, which extended the maturity date to December 19, 2017 and increased the borrowing capacity to $300 million, and an amendment in June 2013, which increased the maximum permissible amount of net outstanding auction guarantees (i.e., auction guarantees less the impact of related risk and reward sharing arrangements) from $100 million to $300 million. Sotheby's did not borrow under the Credit Agreement from its inception to the date of its refinancing on February 13, 2014.
	On February 13, 2014, Sotheby’s refinanced the Credit Agreement and entered into separate dedicated revolving credit facilities for the Agency segment (the “Agency Credit Agreement”) and the Finance segment (the “Finance Credit Agreement”) (collectively, the “New Credit Agreements”) among Sotheby’s, certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries party thereto, General Electric Capital Corporation, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and an international syndicate of lenders party thereto. Borrowings under the New Credit Agreements are available in U.S. Dollars, Pounds Sterling, Euros, or Hong Kong Dollars.
	The Agency Credit Agreement establishes an asset-based revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $150 million, subject to a borrowing base, the proceeds of which may be used for the working capital and other general corporate needs of the Agency segment, as well as for Principal segment inventory investments. The Finance Credit Agreement establishes an asset-based revolving credit facility, subject to a borrowing base, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $450 million, the proceeds of which may be used for the working capital and other general corporate needs of the Finance segment, including the funding of client loans. The New Credit Agreements allow Sotheby's to transfer the proceeds of borrowings under each of the revolving credit facilities between the Agency and Finance segments.
	The following summary does not purport to be a complete summary of the New Credit Agreements and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the New Credit Agreements, which were filed as Exhibit 10.1 and Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K that was filed by Sotheby's with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2014, and are incorporated by reference herein. Capitalized terms used, but not defined, have the meanings set forth in the applicable New Credit Agreements.
	The New Credit Agreements, among other things:
	•	Increase Sotheby’s aggregate borrowing capacity from $300 million under the Credit Agreement to $600 million under the New Credit Agreements.
	•	Include an accordion feature, which allows Sotheby’s to request an increase to the combined borrowing capacity of the New Credit Agreements until August 13, 2018 by an amount not to exceed $100 million in the aggregate.
	•	Increase the sub-limit for borrowings in the U.K. and Hong Kong from $100 million under the Credit Agreement to $200 million under the New Credit Agreements (with up to $150 million available for foreign borrowings under the Finance Credit Agreement and up to $50 million available for foreign borrowings under the Agency Credit Agreement).
	•	Have a maximum borrowing availability, subject to a borrowing base, that is defined in each of the New Credit Agreements. The borrowing base under the Finance Credit Agreement is determined by a calculation that is primarily based upon a percentage of the carrying values of certain loans in the Finance segment loan portfolio and consolidated net tangible assets. The borrowing base under the Agency Credit Agreement is determined by a calculation that is primarily based upon a percentage of the carrying values of certain auction guarantee advances, a percentage of the carrying value of certain inventory, consolidated net tangible assets, and a percentage of the carrying value of certain extended payment term receivables arising from auction or private sale transactions.
	•	Provide that up to $30 million of the aggregate borrowing capacity of the New Credit Agreements may be used to issue letters of credit.
	•	Have a maturity date of February 13, 2019.
	•	Reduce the interest rate margins for borrowings and commitment fees for undrawn amounts compared to the Credit Agreement. Such interest rates and commitment fees shall be determined by reference to the usage under the New Credit Agreements.
	The obligations under the New Credit Agreements are cross-guaranteed and cross-collateralized. The Domestic Borrowers are jointly and severally liable for all obligations under the New Credit Agreements and, subject to certain limitations, the U.K. Borrowers and Sotheby's Hong Kong Limited, are jointly and severally liable for all obligations of the Foreign Borrowers under the New Credit Agreements. In addition, certain subsidiaries of the Borrowers guarantee the obligations of the Borrowers under the New Credit Agreements. Sotheby's obligations under the New Credit Agreements are secured by liens on all or substantially all of the personal property of the Borrowers and the Guarantors.
	The New Credit Agreements contain certain customary affirmative and negative covenants including, but not limited to, limitations on capital expenditures, a $300 million limitation on net outstanding auction guarantees (i.e., auction guarantees less the impact of related risk and reward sharing arrangements) and limitations on the use of proceeds from borrowings under the New Credit Agreements. However, the New Credit Agreements do not limit dividend payments and Common Stock repurchases provided that, both before and after giving effect thereto: (i) there are no Events of Default, (ii) the Aggregate Borrowing Availability equals or exceeds $75 million, and (iii) the Liquidity Amount equals or exceeds $150 million.
	The New Credit Agreements also contain certain financial covenants, which are only applicable during certain defined compliance periods. These financial covenants were not applicable for the twelve month period ended March 31, 2014.
	Sotheby’s incurred approximately $3 million of fees in conjunction with the refinancing of the Credit Agreement, which, along with $4.8 million of unamortized fees that remained from the establishment of and subsequent amendments to the Credit Agreement, are being amortized on a straight-line basis through the February 13, 2019 maturity date of the New Credit Agreements.
	The following table summarizes outstanding borrowings, borrowing capacity, and other information relevant to the New Credit Agreements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2014 (in thousands of dollars):
			Finance Credit Agreement			Agency Credit Agreement			Total
	Borrowing base		$	286,077		$	74,004		$	360,081
	Borrowings outstanding		$	185,000		$	—		$	185,000
	Available borrowing base		$	101,077		$	74,004		$	175,081
	Average borrowings outstanding		$	91,944		$	—		$	91,944
	Borrowing costs		$	710		$	597		$	1,307
	Borrowing costs related to the Finance Credit Agreement, which include interest and fees, are reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as the Cost of Finance Revenues. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the weighted average cost of borrowings related to the Finance Credit Agreement was approximately 3.1%. Borrowing costs related to the Agency Credit Agreement, which include interest and fees, are reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as Interest Expense. (See the table below for additional information related to Interest Expense associated with the Agency Credit Agreement.)
	On April 17, 2014, Sotheby’s borrowed an additional $110 million to fund further growth of the loan portfolio and to continue the process of debt financing existing loans (see Note 5). As of April 30, 2014, total Finance Credit Agreement borrowings were $295 million.
	Long-Term Debt—As of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013, Long-Term Debt consisted of the following (in thousands of dollars):
			March 31,			December 31,			March 31,
			2014			2013			2013
	York Property Mortgage, net of unamortized discount of $4,455, $5,346, and $8,020		$	218,742		$	218,778		$	218,538
	2022 Senior Notes		300,000			300,000			300,000
	Convertible Notes, net of unamortized discount of $1,754 as of March 31, 2013		—			—			180,114
	Less current portion:
	York Property Mortgage		(3,581		)	(3,630		)	(3,378		)
	Convertible Notes		—			—			(180,114		)
	Total Long-Term Debt, net		$	515,161		$	515,148		$	515,160
	York Property Mortgage—On February 6, 2009, Sotheby's purchased the land and building located at 1334 York Avenue, New York, New York (the “York Property”) from RFR Holding Corp. (“RFR”) for a purchase price of $370 million. The York Property is home to Sotheby's sole North American auction salesroom and principal North American exhibition space, including S|2, Sotheby's private sale exhibition gallery. The York Property is also home to the U.S. operations of Sotheby's Finance segment, as well as its corporate offices.
	Sotheby's financed the $370 million purchase price through an initial $50 million cash payment made in conjunction with the signing of the related purchase and sale agreement on January 11, 2008, an $85 million cash payment made when the purchase was consummated on February 6, 2009, and the assumption of an existing $235 million mortgage on the York Property.
	The York Property Mortgage matures on July 1, 2035, but has an optional pre-payment date of July 1, 2015 and bears an annual rate of interest of approximately 5.6%, which increases subsequent to July 1, 2015 unless the mortgage is repaid by that date. In conjunction with the final accounting for the York Property purchase in February 2009, the York Property Mortgage was recorded on Sotheby's balance sheet at its $212.1 million fair value. The resulting $22.9 million debt discount is being amortized to Interest Expense over the remaining expected term of the loan through July 2015. Sotheby's paid fees of $2.4 million in conjunction with the assumption of the York Property Mortgage, which are also being amortized to Interest Expense through July 2015. As of March 31, 2014, the fair value of the York Property Mortgage was approximately $226.4 million based on a present value calculation utilizing an interest rate obtained from a third party source. As such, this fair value measurement is considered to be a Level 3 fair value measurement in the fair value hierarchy as per Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurements ("ASC 820").
	The York Property and the York Property Mortgage are held by 1334 York, LLC, a separate legal entity of Sotheby's that maintains its own books and records and whose results are ultimately consolidated into Sotheby's financial statements. The assets of 1334 York, LLC are not available to satisfy the obligations of other Sotheby's affiliates or any other entity.
	2022 Senior Notes—On September 27, 2012, Sotheby's issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5.25% Senior Notes, due October 1, 2022. The 2022 Senior Notes were offered only to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A and to non-U.S. Persons under Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Holders of the 2022 Senior Notes do not have registration rights, and the 2022 Senior Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act.
	The net proceeds from the issuance of the 2022 Senior Notes were approximately $293.7 million, after deducting fees paid to the initial purchasers, and were principally used to retire $80 million of unsecured debt that was due in June 2015 and Sotheby's 3.125% Convertible Notes, as discussed below.
	The 2022 Senior Notes are guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by certain of Sotheby's existing and future domestic subsidiaries to the extent and on the same basis that such subsidiaries guarantee borrowings under the New Credit Agreements. Interest on the 2022 Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in cash on April 1 and October 1 of each year.
	The 2022 Senior Notes are redeemable by Sotheby's, in whole or in part, on or after October 1, 2017, at specified redemption prices set forth in the underlying indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. Prior to October 1, 2017, the 2022 Senior Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date, plus a premium equal to the greater of 1% of the principal amount of the 2022 Senior Notes and a make-whole premium (as defined in the underlying indenture).
	In addition, at any time prior to October 1, 2015, Sotheby's may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2022 Senior Notes with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at the redemption price of 105.25% plus accrued and unpaid interest. The 2022 Senior Notes are not callable by holders unless Sotheby's is in default under the terms of the underlying indenture.
	As of March 31, 2014, the $300 million principal amount of 2022 Senior Notes had a fair value of approximately $292.5 million based on a broker quoted price derived via a pricing model using observable and unobservable inputs. As such, this fair value measurement is considered to be a Level 3 fair value measurement in the fair value hierarchy as per ASC 820.
	Convertible Notes—On June 17, 2008, Sotheby's issued $200 million aggregate principal amount of 3.125% Convertible Notes, due June 15, 2013. The net proceeds from the issuance of the Convertible Notes were approximately $194.3 million, after deducting transaction costs. The Convertible Notes were payable in cash, shares of Sotheby's Common Stock, or a combination thereof, at the option of Sotheby's, based on a conversion rate, as adjusted, of 29.5920 shares of Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, which is equivalent to a conversion price, as adjusted, of approximately $33.79 per share.
	On January 1, 2009, upon the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification 470-20, Debt - Debt With Conversion and Other Options, the liability and equity components of the Convertible Notes were separately accounted for in Sotheby's financial statements. The liability component was initially valued at $161.8 million using Sotheby's nonconvertible debt borrowing rate, which was estimated to be 7.75% at the date of adoption, and was accounted for as Long-Term Debt. The equity component (i.e., the embedded conversion option) was initially valued at $38.2 million ($21 million, net of taxes) and was accounted for as a component of Additional Paid-In Capital within Shareholders' Equity. The corresponding debt discount was amortized to Interest Expense over the life of the Convertible Notes using the effective interest rate method.
	The Convertible Notes were convertible at the option of the bondholders for a period beginning on April 1, 2011 and ending on June 30, 2011 as a result of the stock price trigger in the underlying indenture being met in the first quarter of 2011. In June 2011, Sotheby's received conversion requests resulting in a conversion obligation of $22.5 million, which consisted of $18.1 million related to principal and approximately $4.4 million related to the conversion premium. This conversion obligation was settled entirely in cash in August 2011. As a result of the cash settlement of these conversion requests, $8.2 million ($5.4 million, net of taxes) of the amount originally attributed to the embedded conversion option and initially recorded within Shareholders' Equity no longer met the conditions for equity classification. Accordingly, this amount was reclassified to Other Current Liabilities on Sotheby's June 30, 2011 balance sheet prior to settlement of the conversion obligation in August 2011. In August 2011, simultaneous with the settlement of the June 2011 conversion requests, Sotheby's received $4.4 million in cash to fund the conversion premium through its exercise of a portion of the Convertible Note Hedges, as discussed below. In the third quarter of 2011, Sotheby's recognized a $1.5 million loss representing the write-off of a proportionate amount of the unamortized discount and deferred transaction costs related to the Convertible Notes redeemed.
	The remaining Convertible Notes became convertible on March 15, 2013, for a period ending on the close of business on June 14, 2013, when Sotheby's became obligated to pay the conversion obligation of $197.4 million, which consisted of $181.9 million related to principal and $15.5 million related to the conversion premium. As of March 31, 2013, management evaluated the remaining amount originally attributed to the embedded conversion option and initially recorded within Shareholders' Equity and concluded that it no longer met the conditions for equity classification as a result of Sotheby's irrevocable election in the first quarter of 2013 to settle any remaining conversion obligation related to the Convertible Notes solely in cash. Accordingly, as of March 31, 2013, the $21.8 million fair value of the embedded conversion option was reclassified to Other Current Liabilities, with a corresponding reduction to Shareholders’ Equity of $12 million, net of taxes. In June 2013, the conversion obligation was settled entirely in cash and Sotheby's simultaneously received $15.5 million in cash to offset the conversion premium through the exercise of its Convertible Note Hedges, as discussed below.
	Convertible Note Hedges and Warrant Transactions—On June 11, 2008, in conjunction with the issuance of the Convertible Notes, Sotheby's entered into convertible note hedge transactions (the "Convertible Note Hedges") at a cost of $40.6 million ($22.5 million, net of taxes) that allowed Sotheby's to purchase its Common Stock from affiliates of Bank of America and Goldman Sachs & Co. (collectively, the “Counterparties”) at a price equal to the conversion price of the Convertible Notes. The Convertible Note Hedges were entered into to offset the impact of any premium paid, either in cash or in shares of Sotheby's Common Stock, upon the settlement of the Convertible Notes.
	The Convertible Note Hedges initially met the conditions for equity classification and, as a result, in June 2008, the related $40.6 million cost ($22.5 million, net of taxes) was recorded on Sotheby's balance sheet as a component of Additional Paid-In Capital within Shareholders' Equity. As previously discussed in this footnote, in June 2011, Sotheby's received conversion requests totaling a principal amount of $18.1 million from holders of the Convertible Notes. As a result, in June 2011, Sotheby's exercised the portion of the Convertible Note Hedges related to these conversion requests, which enabled it to receive $4.4 million in cash, which was equal to the amount of the conversion premium paid upon settlement of the conversion obligation in August 2011. As a result of the cash settlement of this portion of the Convertible Note Hedges, $8.2 million ($5.3 million, net of taxes) of the amount originally recorded in Shareholders' Equity no longer met the conditions for equity classification as of June 30, 2011. Accordingly, this amount was reclassified to Other Current Assets on Sotheby's June 30, 2011 balance sheet prior to settlement of the conversion obligation in August 2011.
	As of March 31, 2013, management evaluated the Convertible Note Hedges and concluded that the remaining amount in Shareholders’ Equity no longer met the conditions for equity classification as a result of Sotheby's irrevocable election in the first quarter of 2013 to settle the remaining Convertible Note Hedges solely in cash. Accordingly, as of March 31, 2013, the $21.8 million fair value of the remaining Convertible Note Hedges was reclassified to Other Current Assets, with a corresponding increase to Shareholders’ Equity of $12 million, net of taxes. In June 2013, Sotheby's settled the remaining conversion obligation related to the Convertible Notes entirely in cash. As a result, the Convertible Note Hedges were exercised, and Sotheby's received $15.5 million in cash to offset the conversion premium related to the Convertible Notes.
	On June 11, 2008, Sotheby's also entered into warrant transactions, whereby it sold to the Counterparties warrants to acquire, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, approximately 5.9 million shares of Sotheby's Common Stock at a price of approximately $44.50 per share, as adjusted. The net proceeds received by Sotheby's in June 2008 from the sale of the warrants was $22.3 million and was recorded as a component of Additional Paid In Capital within Shareholders' Equity. The warrants were automatically exercisable subject to a limit of approximately 118,348 warrants per day for each day in the 50 trading days that began on September 17, 2013 and ended on November 25, 2013. The settlement of warrant exercises resulted in the issuance of 722,288 shares of Sotheby's Common Stock in the fourth quarter of 2013.
	Future Principal and Interest Payments—The aggregate future principal and interest payments due under Sotheby's credit facility borrowings and Long-Term Debt during the five-year period after the March 31, 2014 balance sheet date are as follows (in thousands of dollars):
	April 2014 to March 2015	$	31,754
	April 2015 to March 2016	$	239,267
	April 2016 to March 2017	$	15,750
	April 2017 to March 2018	$	15,750
	April 2018 to March 2019	$	200,750
	Interest Expense—For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, Interest Expense consisted of the following (in thousands of dollars):
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2014			2013
Agency Credit Agreement:
Amortization of amendment and arrangement fees		$	324		$	302
Commitment fees		273			362
Sub-total		597			664
York Property Mortgage		4,060			4,103
2022 Senior Notes		3,938			3,938
Convertible Notes		—			3,463
Other interest expense		188			347
Total Interest Expense		$	8,783		$	12,515
Other interest expense consists primarily of the amortization of debt issuance costs related to the 2022 Senior Notes and the Convertible Notes. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, Interest Expense related to the Convertible Notes consisted of $1.4 million related to the contractual stated rate of interest and $2 million related to the amortization of discount.

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plan

Defined Benefit Pension Plan	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Defined Benefit Pension Plan	'
	Defined Benefit Pension Plan
	Sotheby’s sponsors a defined benefit pension plan covering a portion of its U.K. employees (the “U.K. Pension Plan”). The table below summarizes the components of the net pension benefit related to the U.K. Pension Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands of dollars):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Service cost	$	1,130		$	914
	Interest cost	3,927			3,316
	Expected return on plan assets	(5,819		)	(4,879		)
	Amortization of previously unrecognized net pension losses	589			362
	Net pension benefit	$	(173	)	$	(287	)
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014, Sotheby's contributed $0.8 million to the U.K Pension Plan. Sotheby’s expects to contribute approximately $3.2 million to the U.K. Pension Plan in 2014.

Client_Deposits_Notes

Client Deposits (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Client Deposits [Abstract]	'
Deposit Liabilities Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	8. Client Deposit
	In March 2013, Sotheby's received a $63 million client deposit representing a portion of the purchase price, exclusive of Sotheby's commission, that was ultimately paid to a consignor for a private sale transaction that was not yet completed as of March 31, 2013. This private sale transaction was completed in the second quarter of 2013.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	Employment Arrangements—As of March 31, 2014, Sotheby’s had employment arrangements with certain senior employees, which expire at various points between April 2014 and December 2017. Such arrangements may provide, among other benefits, for minimum salary levels and for compensation under Sotheby's incentive compensation programs that is payable only if specified Company and individual goals are attained. Additionally, under certain circumstances, certain of these arrangements provide annual share-based payments, severance payments, other cash compensation, and the continuation of benefits upon termination of employment. The aggregate remaining commitment for salaries and other cash compensation related to these employment arrangements, excluding any participation in Sotheby’s incentive compensation programs, was approximately $14.7 million as of March 31, 2014.
	Guarantee of Collection—A guarantee of collection is a guarantee to a consignor that, under certain conditions, Sotheby's will pay the consignor for property that has sold at auction but has not yet been paid for by the purchaser. It is not a guarantee that the property will be sold at a certain minimum price.
	Sotheby's has an outstanding guarantee of collection related to property that is being offered at auctions primarily in the first and second quarters of 2014. In the event a purchaser has not paid for any item sold at auction by the settlement date, which is 35 days after the date of each respective auction or such other date agreed to by the consignor, Sotheby's will pay the consignor the net sale proceeds up to the final presale mid-estimate of the item, but Sotheby's would then take title to the property and have the right to pursue the defaulting buyer and/or reoffer the property at a future sale. If any of the property under this guarantee of collection fails to meet its reserve price and as a result, does not sell at the auction, or if the consignor elects to cancel a sale due to buyer default, Sotheby's has no obligation to pay the consignor for those items. As of April 21, 2014, the remaining guarantee of collection related to property sold in the first quarter of 2014 was approximately $5.4 million and the remaining guarantee of collection related to property to be offered at future auctions was approximately $85.6 million.
	Sotheby's also has an outstanding guarantee of collection related to property that was sold at auction in the second quarter of 2014. In the event a purchaser does not pay for the item by the settlement date, which is 180 days after the date of the auction, Sotheby's will pay the consignor the net sale proceeds, but would then take title to the property and have the right to pursue the defaulting buyer and/or reoffer the property at a future sale. If the consignor elects to cancel the sale due to buyer default, Sotheby's has no obligation to pay the consignor for the item. As of May 5, 2014, Sotheby's guarantee of collection related to this property was approximately $34.8 million.
	Legal Actions—Sotheby’s becomes involved in various claims and lawsuits incidental to the ordinary course of its business, including the matters described below. Management is required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes in these matters, as well as potential ranges of probable or reasonably possible losses. A determination of the amount of losses, if any, to be recorded or disclosed as a result of these contingencies is based on a careful analysis of each individual exposure with, in some cases, the assistance of outside legal counsel. The amount of losses recorded or disclosed for such contingencies may change in the future due to new developments in each matter or a change in settlement strategy. Management does not believe that the outcome of any of these pending claims or proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on Sotheby’s consolidated results of operations, financial condition and/or cash flows.
	Estate of Robert Graham, et al. v. Sotheby's, Inc. is a purported class action commenced in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in October 2011 on behalf of U.S. artists (and their estates) whose artworks were sold by Sotheby's in the State of California or at auction by California sellers and for which a royalty was allegedly due under the California Resale Royalties Act (the “Resale Royalties Act”). Plaintiffs seek unspecified damages, punitive damages and injunctive relief for alleged violations of the Resale Royalties Act and the California Unfair Competition Law. In January 2012, Sotheby’s filed a motion to dismiss the action on the grounds, among others, that the Resale Royalties Act violates the U.S. Constitution and is preempted by the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976. In February 2012, the plaintiffs filed their response to Sotheby's motion to dismiss. The court heard oral arguments on the motion to dismiss on March 12, 2012. On May 17, 2012, the court issued an order dismissing the action on the ground that the Resale Royalties Act violated the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The plaintiffs have appealed this ruling. Sotheby's believes that there are meritorious defenses to the appeal. It is currently not possible to make an estimate of the amount or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome of this matter.
	Third Point LLC v. Ruprecht, et al., Civil Action No. 9469-VCP (Del. Ch. 2014)—On March 25, 2014, Third Point LLC ("Third Point") filed a verified complaint against William F. Ruprecht, Peregrine A. M. Cavendish, Domenico De Sole, John M. Angelo, Steven B, Dodge, Daniel H. Meyer, Allen I. Questrom, Marsha E. Simms, Michael I. Sovern, Robert S. Taubman, Diana L. Taylor and Dennis M. Weibling (collectively, the “Directors”) and nominal defendant Sotheby’s. Third Point alleged that the Directors breached their fiduciary duties of loyalty and due care in adopting a shareholder rights plan (the “Rights Plan”) on October 4, 2013 and enforcing the plan against Third Point on March 21, 2014 by denying Third Point’s request that it be treated as a 13G filer under the Rights Plan to allow it to acquire up to 20% of Sotheby’s outstanding Common Stock. Third Point alleged that the Rights Plan was not a reasonable response to a legitimate threat to Sotheby’s and alleged that the adoption and continuation of the Rights Plan hindered its ability to wage an effective proxy contest. The complaint sought a declaration that the Directors breached their fiduciary duties and that the Rights Plan was unenforceable, and sought an order that Sotheby’s be required to redeem the Rights Plan in its entirety, or in the alternative, be enjoined from enforcing the Rights Plan against Third Point, or be required to amend the Rights Plan to allow Third Point to acquire up to 20% of Sotheby’s outstanding Common Stock. Along with its complaint, Third Point moved for expedited proceedings. On April 10, 2014, the Court ordered partial coordination of this action with The Employees Retirement System of the City of St. Louis v. Ruprecht, et al., Civil Action No. 9497-VCP and Louisiana Municipal Employees Retirement System v. Ruprecht, et al., Civil Action No.--9508-VCP. On May 2, 2014, following briefing and argument on plaintiffs’ motions for preliminary injunctions in the coordinated actions, the Court issued a Memorandum Opinion denying the motion. Specifically, the Court found that plaintiffs failed to show a likelihood of success on the merits of their claims. On May 4, 2014, Sotheby’s and Third Point entered into a support agreement that, among other things, resolved the previously pending proxy contest. As part of this support agreement, Third Point agreed to dismiss with prejudice this litigation. On May 6, 2014, Third Point filed a notice of dismissal terminating its case.
	The Employees Retirement System of the City of St. Louis v. Ruprecht, et al., Civil Action No. 9497-VCP (Del. Ch. 2014)—On April 1, 2014, the Employees Retirement System of the City of St. Louis, the plaintiff, on behalf of a putative class of Sotheby’s stockholders, filed a verified class action complaint against the Directors and nominal defendant Sotheby’s. The plaintiff alleges in two counts that the Directors breached their fiduciary duties in adopting the Rights Plan and by including so-called “proxy puts” in certain Sotheby’s credit agreements. The plaintiff alleges that the Rights Plan is discriminatory, is designed to entrench current board members, and undermines the proxy contest being conducted by Third Point. In addition, the plaintiff alleges that the Directors endorsed credit agreements containing “proxy put” provisions that were unnecessary, preemptive defensive measures designed to insulate Directors from proxy contests. The plaintiff seeks judgment preliminarily and permanently enjoining the Rights Plan, judgment preliminarily enjoining the Directors from using any proxies solicited before they “approve” the Third Point nominees for directorships, and a declaration that the Rights Plan is unenforceable and that the Directors breached their fiduciary duties to the putative class. On April 10, 2014, the Court ordered partial coordination of this action and Louisiana Municipal Employees Retirement System v. Ruprecht, et al., Civil Action No. --9508-VCP with the prior pending action in Third Point LLC v. Ruprecht, et al., Civil Action No. 9469-VCP. On May 2, 2014, following briefing and argument on plaintiffs’ motions for preliminary injunctions in the coordinated actions, the Court issued a Memorandum Opinion denying the motion. Specifically, the Court found that plaintiffs failed to show a likelihood of success on the merits of their claims.
	Louisiana Municipal Employees Retirement System v. Ruprecht, et al., Civil Action No.--9508-VCP (Del. Ch. 2014)—On April 3, 2014, Louisiana Municipal Employees Retirement System, the plaintiff, on behalf of a putative class of Sotheby’s stockholders, filed a verified class action complaint against the Directors and nominal defendant Sotheby’s. The plaintiff alleges in two counts that the Directors breached their fiduciary duties in adopting the Rights Plan and by including so-called “proxy puts” in certain Sotheby’s credit agreements. The plaintiff alleges that the Rights Plan is discriminatory, is designed to entrench current board members, and undermines the proxy contest being conducted by Third Point. In addition, the plaintiff alleges that the Directors endorsed credit agreements containing “proxy put” provisions that were unnecessary, preemptive defensive measures designed to insulate Directors from proxy contests. The plaintiff seeks judgment preliminarily and permanently enjoining the Rights Plan, judgment preliminarily enjoining the Directors from using any proxies solicited before they “approve” the Third Point nominees for directorships, and a declaration that the Rights Plan is unenforceable and that the Directors breached their fiduciary duties to the putative class. On April 10, 2014, the Court ordered partial coordination of this action and The Employees Retirement System of the City of St. Louis v. Ruprecht, et al., Civil Action No. 9497-VCP with the prior pending action in Third Point LLC v. Ruprecht, et al., Civil Action No. 9469-VCP. On May 2, 2014, following briefing and argument on plaintiffs’ motions for preliminary injunctions in the coordinated actions, the Court issued a Memorandum Opinion denying the motion. Specifically, the Court found that plaintiffs failed to show a likelihood of success on the merits of their claims.
	(See Note 6 for information related to Sotheby's debt commitments. See Note 10 for information related to Sotheby's auction guarantees. See Note 11 for detailed information related to the Rights Plan. See Note 16 for information related to Sotheby's income tax contingencies. See Note 19 for further subsequent events related to the Rights Plan and the Third Point litigation, as well as detailed information related to the support agreement with Third Point.)

Guarantees

Guarantees	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Auction Guarantees	'
	Auction Guarantees
	From time-to-time in the ordinary course of its business, Sotheby’s will guarantee to a consignor a minimum sale price in connection with the sale of property at auction (an “auction guarantee”). In the event that the property sells for less than the guaranteed price, Sotheby’s must perform under the auction guarantee by funding the difference between the sale price at auction and the amount of the auction guarantee. Sotheby’s is generally entitled to a share of the excess proceeds (the “overage”) if the property under the auction guarantee sells above the guaranteed price. If the property does not sell, the amount of the auction guarantee must be paid, but Sotheby’s has the right to recover such amount through the future sale of the property. In these situations, the guaranteed property is recorded as Inventory on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at the lower of cost (i.e., the amount paid under the auction guarantee) or management’s estimate of the property's net realizable value (i.e., the expected sale price upon disposition). The sale proceeds ultimately realized by Sotheby’s in these situations may equal, exceed or be less than the amount recorded as Inventory on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Sotheby’s may reduce its financial exposure under auction guarantees through contractual risk and reward sharing arrangements with a partner. Such auction guarantee risk and reward sharing arrangements include:
	•	Arrangements under which a counterparty commits to bid a predetermined price on the guaranteed property (an “irrevocable bid”). If the irrevocable bid is the winning bid, the counterparty purchases the property at the predetermined price plus the applicable buyer’s premium, which is the same amount that any other successful bidder would pay at that price. If the irrevocable bid is not the winning bid, the counterparty is generally entitled to receive a share of the auction commission earned on the sale and/or a share of any overage.
	•	Arrangements under which a counterparty commits to fund: (i) a share of the difference between the sale price at auction and the amount of the auction guarantee if the property sells for less than the minimum guaranteed price or (ii) a share of the minimum guaranteed price if the property does not sell while taking ownership of a proportionate share of the unsold property. In exchange for accepting a share of the financial exposure under the auction guarantee, the counterparty is generally entitled to receive a share of the auction commission earned if the property sells and/or a share of any overage.
	Sotheby's counterparties to these contractual arrangements are typically major international art dealers or major art collectors. Sotheby’s could be exposed to losses in the event any of these counterparties do not perform according to the terms of these contractual arrangements. In the first quarter of 2013, Sotheby's recorded $1.7 million as a client goodwill gesture within General and Administrative Expenses as a result of an accommodation made to an irrevocable bid counterparty.
	Although irrevocable bid and partner sharing arrangements may be used to reduce the risk associated with auction guarantees, Sotheby's may also enter into auction guarantees without securing such arrangements. To the extent that auction guarantees are issued without risk and reward sharing arrangements, auction commission margins and Sotheby's share of any auction guarantee overage could potentially improve, as the buyer's premium and any overage would not be shared with a counterparty, but Sotheby's could also be exposed to auction guarantee losses and/or deterioration in auction commission margins if the underlying property fails to sell at the minimum guaranteed price. Furthermore, in such situations, Sotheby's liquidity could be reduced.
	As discussed in Note 6, Sotheby's credit agreement has a covenant that imposes a $300 million limitation on net outstanding auction guarantees (i.e., auction guarantees less the impact of related risk and reward sharing arrangements). In addition to compliance with this covenant, Sotheby's use of auction guarantees is also subject to management and, in some cases, Board of Directors, approval.
	As of March 31, 2014, Sotheby’s had outstanding auction guarantees totaling $219 million and, as of that date, Sotheby's financial exposure was reduced by risk and reward sharing arrangements totaling $35.5 million. Each of the auction guarantees outstanding as of March 31, 2014 had a minimum guaranteed price that was within the range of the pre-sale auction estimates for the underlying property. The property related to these auction guarantees is being offered at auctions primarily in the second quarter of 2014.
	Sotheby's is obligated under the terms of certain auction guarantees to advance all or a portion of the guaranteed amount prior to auction. As of March 31, 2014, $7.7 million of the guaranteed amount had been advanced by Sotheby's and is recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets within Notes Receivable (see Note 5). As of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013, the carrying value of the liability representing the estimated fair value of Sotheby’s obligation to perform under its auction guarantees totaled $9.8 million, $2.9 million, and $2.4 million, respectively, and is recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets within Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities.
	As of May 1, 2014, Sotheby's had outstanding auction guarantees totaling $284.7 million and, as of that date, Sotheby's financial exposure was reduced by risk and reward sharing arrangements totaling $88.2 million. Each of the auction guarantees outstanding as of May 1, 2014 had a minimum guaranteed price that was within the range of the pre-sale auction estimates for the underlying property. The property related to these auction guarantees is being offered at auctions primarily in the second quarter of 2014. As of May 1, 2014, $56.4 million of the guaranteed amount had been advanced by Sotheby's.

Shareholders_Equity_and_Divide

Shareholders' Equity and Dividend (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Shareholders' Equity and Dividend [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	11. Shareholders' Equity and Dividends
	Special Dividend and Common Stock Repurchase Program—In January 2014, management and the Board of Directors concluded a review of Sotheby's capital allocation and financial policies and, as a result: (i) established separate capital structures and financial policies for its Agency and Finance segments, (ii) declared a special dividend of $300 million ($4.34 per share) payable to shareholders of record as of February 12, 2014, (iii) authorized a 5-year, $150 million Common Stock repurchase program principally to offset the annual vesting of employee share-based payments, and (iv) committed to an annual assessment of Sotheby's capital position to determine the amount of any excess capital available to be returned to shareholders.
	The $300 million special dividend was paid on March 17, 2014 and was funded principally by the repatriation of $250 million of cash from Sotheby’s foreign subsidiaries, with the remaining $50 million funded by existing domestic cash balances. In conjunction with this special dividend, dividend equivalents of approximately $11 million were accrued on share-based payments to Sotheby's employees and charged against retained earnings, of which approximately $4 million was paid in March 2014. (See Note 12 for information related to Sotheby's share-based payment programs.)
	In conjunction with the Common Stock repurchase program, Sotheby's repurchased 558,171 shares of its Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $25 million ($44.79 per share) pursuant to an accelerated stock buyback agreement that was concluded in March 2014.
	Quarterly Cash Dividends—On February 27, 2014, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share (approximately $6.9 million) that was paid on March 17, 2014 to shareholders of record as of March 10, 2014. On May 6, 2014, the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share (approximately $6.9 million), payable on June 16, 2014 to shareholders of record as of June 2, 2014.
	Shareholder Rights Plan—On October 4, 2013, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of Sotheby's Common Stock and adopted a shareholder rights plan (the "Rights Plan"). The dividend was paid on October 14, 2013 to the shareholders of record on that date. Each Right allows its holder to purchase from Sotheby's one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (a “Preferred Share”) for $200 (the “Exercise Price”), once the Rights become exercisable. This portion of a Preferred Share will give the shareholder approximately the same dividend and liquidation rights as would one share of Sotheby's Common Stock. Prior to exercise, the Right does not give its holder any dividend, voting, or liquidation rights.
	The Rights will not be exercisable until 10 days after the public announcement that a person or group has become an “Acquiring Person” by obtaining beneficial ownership of 10% (or 20% in the case of a “13G Investor,” as such term is defined in the Rights Plan agreement) or more of Sotheby's outstanding Common Stock (the "Distribution Date"). If a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person, each Right will entitle its holder (other than such Acquiring Person) to purchase for $200, a number of Sotheby’s Common Stock shares having a market value of twice such price, based on the market price of Sotheby's Common Stock prior to such acquisition. In addition, if Sotheby’s is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction after the Distribution Date, each Right will entitle its holder to purchase, at the Right’s then-current exercise price, a number of the acquiring company's common stock shares having a market value of twice such price, based on the market price of the acquiring company's stock prior to such transaction. In addition, at any time after a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person, but before such Acquiring Person or group owns 50% or more of Sotheby's Common Stock, the Board of Directors may exchange one share of Sotheby’s Common Stock for each outstanding Right (other than Rights owned by such Acquiring Person, which would have become void). An Acquiring Person will not be entitled to exercise the Rights.
	The Rights Plan also includes “qualifying offer” provisions, whereby the Rights will automatically expire concurrently with (but no earlier than 100 days after the commencement of such qualifying offer) the purchase of 50% (including any shares held by the offeror) of Sotheby's outstanding Common Stock on a fully diluted basis pursuant to a tender or exchange offer for all of the outstanding shares of Sotheby's Common Stock at the same price and for the same consideration, provided that the offeror irrevocably commits to purchase all remaining untendered shares at the same price and the same consideration actually paid pursuant to the offer. The Rights will expire on October 3, 2016; provided that if Sotheby's shareholders have not ratified the Rights Plan by October 3, 2014, the Rights will expire on such date.
	On October 4, 2013, in conjunction with the adoption of the Rights Plan, Sotheby's designated 2,000,000 shares of its Preferred Stock with a par value of $0.01 per share as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.
	(See Note 9 for a summary of legal actions that have been filed with respect to the Rights Plan and Note 19 for subsequent events related to the Rights Plan.)

ShareBased_Payments

Share-Based Payments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Share-Based Payments	'
	e-based payments to employees include performance-based stock unit awards, restricted stock units, and stock options. Each of these share-based payments is explained below. Compensation expense related to share-based payments is recorded as a component of salaries and related costs in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, compensation expense related to share-based payments was as follows (in thousands of dollars):
	For the three months ended March 31,		2014				2013
	Pre-Tax		$	6,247			$	4,432
	After-Tax		$	4,152			$	3,646
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, Sotheby's realized $3.1 million and $2.7 million, respectively, of excess tax benefits related to share-based payment arrangements. These tax benefits represent the amount by which the tax deduction resulting from the exercise or vesting of share-based payments exceeded the tax benefit initially recognized in Sotheby's financial statements upon the amortization of compensation expense for these awards. Such excess tax benefits are recognized on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as an increase to Additional Paid-in Capital and are classified within financing activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
	As of March 31, 2014, unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested portion of share-based payments was $42.7 million. This compensation expense is expected to be amortized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.7 years. Sotheby’s does not capitalize any compensation expense related to share-based payments to employees.
	Sotheby's Restricted Stock Unit Plan—Sotheby's Restricted Stock Unit Plan (the “Restricted Stock Unit Plan”) provides for the issuance of Restricted Stock Units (“RSU's”) to employees, subject to the approval of the Compensation Committee of Sotheby's Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”). In making awards under the Restricted Stock Unit Plan, the Compensation Committee takes into account the nature of the services rendered by employees, their present and potential future contributions to Sotheby's success, and such other factors as the Compensation Committee in its discretion deems relevant.
	RSU's vest evenly over a three-year service period. Prior to vesting, holders of RSU's do not have voting rights, but are entitled to receive dividend equivalents. Dividend equivalents paid to holders of unvested RSU's are not forfeitable. RSU's may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered until they vest.
	Performance Share Units (or “PSU's”) are RSU's that generally vest over three or four years, subject to the achievement of certain profitability targets. Prior to vesting, holders of PSU's do not have voting rights and are not entitled to receive dividends or dividend equivalents. Dividend equivalents are credited to holders of PSU's and are only paid for the portion of PSU's that vest and become shares of Common Stock. PSU's may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered until they vest.
	In February 2014, Sotheby's issued share-based payment awards with a total fair value of $29.1 million, as follows: (i) 423,203 PSU's with a fair value of $18.9 million and a single vesting opportunity after a three-year service period, including 344,692 PSU's with a fair value of $15.4 million, related almost entirely to Sotheby's incentive compensation programs, and 78,511 PSU's with a fair value of $3.5 million issued to William F. Ruprecht, in accordance with the terms of his employment agreement, and (ii) 227,936 RSU's with annual vesting over a three-year service period and a fair value of $10.2 million related almost entirely to Sotheby's incentive compensation programs.
	Summary of RSU’s and PSU’s—For the three months ended March 31, 2014, changes to the number of outstanding RSU’s and PSU’s were as follows (shares in thousands):
		Number of RSU’s			Weighted
		and PSU’s			Average
					Grant Date
					Fair Value
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014	1,823			$	35.37
	Granted	651			$	44.68
	Vested	(538	)		$	30.88
	Canceled	(24	)		$	38.93
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014	1,912			$	39.76
	The aggregate fair value of RSU’s and PSU's that vested during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was $25.3 million and $26.9 million, respectively, based on the closing price of Sotheby's Common Stock on the dates the shares vested. As of March 31, 2014, 3.5 million shares were available for future awards pursuant to the Restricted Stock Unit Plan.
	Stock Options—Stock options issued pursuant to the Sotheby's 1997 Stock Option Plan are exercisable into authorized, but unissued shares of Sotheby's Common Stock. Stock options vest evenly over four years and expire ten years after the date of grant. As of March 31, 2014, 35,350 shares of Common Stock were available for the issuance of stock options under the Stock Option Plan.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014, changes to the number of stock options outstanding were as follows (options and aggregate intrinsic value in thousands):
		Options			Weighted Average				Weighted Average	Aggregate
					Exercise Price				Remaining	Intrinsic Value
									Contractual Term (in Years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014	93			$	22.11
	Exercised	(43	)		$	22.11
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014	50			$	22.11			5.9	$	1,072
	Exercisable at March 31, 2014	50			$	22.11			5.9	$	1,072
	The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was $1.2 million and $1.7 million, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, cash proceeds received as a result of stock option exercises were $1 million and $2.2 million, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the excess tax benefit realized from the exercise of stock options was $0.3 million.

Special_Charges_Notes

Special Charges (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Special Charges [Abstract]	'
Special Charges	'
	13. Special Charges
	In the first quarter of 2014, Sotheby's incurred $5.7 million of third party advisory, legal, and other professional service fees directly associated with issues related to shareholder activism and the resulting proxy contest with Third Point. Such fees are incremental to Sotheby's cost structure and are reported within Special Charges in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	The following is a summary of the changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands of dollars):
	Three Months ended March 31, 2014	Foreign Currency Items			Defined Benefit Pension Items			Total
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	(1,352	)	$	(38,101	)	$	(39,453	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,866			(398		)	1,468
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	2,058			472			2,530
	Net other comprehensive income	3,924			74			3,998
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	2,572		$	(38,027	)	$	(35,455	)
	Three Months ended March 31, 2013	Foreign Currency Items			Defined Benefit Pension Items			Total
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	(16,084	)	$	(34,291	)	$	(50,375	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(26,202		)	2,102			(24,100		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			279			279
	Net other comprehensive (loss) income	(26,202		)	2,381			(23,821		)
	Balance at March 31, 2013	$	(42,286	)	$	(31,910	)	$	(74,196	)
	Other Comprehensive Loss principally includes the change in the foreign currency translation adjustment account during the period, as well as unrealized gains and losses related to the U.K. Pension Plan. Such amounts are reported on a cumulative basis in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014, $2.1 million was reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss to Other (Expense) Income in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as a result of the cumulative translation adjustment that was recognized upon the liquidation of a foreign subsidiary. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, $0.5 million and $0.3 million (respectively, net of tax) was reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss and recorded on a pre-tax basis to Salaries and Related Costs in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as a result of the amortization previously unrecognized U.K. Pension Plan losses (see Note 7). For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) includes ($0.4) million and $2.1 million, respectively, related to changes in the foreign currency translation adjustment account associated with accumulated unrecognized U.K. Pension Plan losses.

Income_Taxes_Notes

Income Taxes (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	15. Income Taxes
	In January 2014, management and the Board of Directors concluded a review of Sotheby's capital allocation and financial policies and, as a result: (i) established separate capital structures and financial policies for its Agency and Finance segments, (ii) returned $325 million of excess liquidity to shareholders in March 2014 through a $300 million special dividend and $25 million of Common Stock repurchases (see Note 11), and (iii) committed to an annual assessment of Sotheby's capital position to determine the amount of any excess capital available to be returned to shareholders. The $300 million special dividend was funded principally by the repatriation of $250 million of accumulated foreign earnings from Sotheby’s subsidiaries in Switzerland ($120 million), the U.K. ($105 million), and Hong Kong ($25 million). The remaining $50 million of the special dividend was funded by existing domestic cash balances.
	Based on the results of this review and current projections and planned uses of foreign cash balances, management has determined that, beginning in 2014, the current earnings of Sotheby's foreign subsidiaries will not be indefinitely reinvested. Accordingly, beginning in the first quarter of 2014, U.S. income taxes are being accrued on these earnings, resulting in an approximate 6% increase to Sotheby's 2014 estimated annual effective income tax rate to 36%. Management continues to consider the unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries that were generated prior to 2014 to be indefinitely reinvested.

Uncertain_Tax_Positions

Uncertain Tax Positions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Uncertainties [Abstract]	'
Uncertain Tax Positions	'
	Uncertain Tax Positions
	As of March 31, 2014, Sotheby’s liability for unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, was $22.9 million, representing a net decrease of $2.5 million when compared to the liability of $25.4 million as of December 31, 2013. This net decrease is primarily the result of the expiration of the statute of limitations for certain tax years and the settlement of an audit. As of March 31, 2013, Sotheby’s liability for unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, was $33.3 million. As of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably affect Sotheby’s effective tax rate was $12 million, $11.7 million, and $17.1 million, respectively. Sotheby’s believes it is reasonably possible that a decrease of $5.3 million in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits can occur within 12 months of the March 31, 2014 balance sheet date as a result of the expiration of the statute of limitations and the expected settlements of ongoing tax audits.
	Sotheby’s is subject to taxation in the U.S. and various state and foreign jurisdictions and, as a result, is subject to ongoing tax audits in various jurisdictions. Sotheby’s various U.S. federal and various state and foreign tax returns are currently under examination by taxing authorities. The earliest open tax year for the major jurisdictions in which Sotheby's does business, which include the U.S. (including various state and local jurisdictions), the U.K., and Hong Kong, is 2007.
	Sotheby’s recognizes interest expense and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of Income Tax Expense (Benefit). The accrual for such interest and penalties decreased by $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	Sotheby’s policy is to record interest expense related to sales, value added and other non-income based taxes as Interest Expense in its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Penalties related to such taxes are recorded as General and Administrative Expenses in its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Interest expense and penalties related to income taxes are recorded as a component of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) in Sotheby’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	Related Party Transactions
	From time-to-time, in the ordinary course of business, related parties such as members of Sotheby's Board of Directors and employees, transact with Sotheby's to buy and sell property at auction and through private sales. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, Sotheby’s recognized total Agency Revenues of $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively, related to the sale and purchase of property by related parties.
	As of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013, Accounts Receivable (net) included $2.5 million, $2.7 million, and $4.1 million, respectively, associated with auction or private sale purchases made by related parties. The related party receivable balance outstanding as of March 31, 2014 was collected in April 2014.

Recently_Issued_Accounting_Sta

Recently Issued Accounting Standards	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]	'
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	'
	Recently Issued Accounting Standards
	In March 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-05, which states that a cumulative translation adjustment attached to a parent’s investment in a foreign entity should be recognized in the income statement in a manner consistent with the derecognition guidance on investments in entities. For example, the entire amount of the cumulative translation adjustment associated with foreign entities would be recognized in the income statement upon the sale of a foreign entity that represents a substantially complete liquidation of the investment in that entity or in circumstances which result in the loss of a controlling financial interest in an investment in a foreign entity (i.e., the foreign entity is deconsolidated). ASU 2013-05 is effective prospectively for public entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013. Sotheby's adopted this standard for the quarter ending March 31, 2014.

Subsequent_Events_Notes

Subsequent Events (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	19. Subsequent Events
	Rights Plan Amendment—On May 5, 2014, Sotheby’s entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Rights Plan (the “Amendment”). The Amendment accelerates the expiration of the Rights Plan from the close of business on October 3, 2014, in the absence of prior approval of the Rights Plan by Sotheby's shareholders, to the close of business on the date that Sotheby’s 2014 annual meeting of shareholders is completed, and has the effect of terminating the Rights Plan at that time. At the time of the termination of the Rights Plan, all of the Rights distributed to holders of Sotheby’s Common Stock pursuant to the Rights Plan will expire. (See Note 11 for information related to the adoption of the Rights Plan.)
	Support Agreement—On May 4, 2014, Sotheby's entered into a support agreement (the “Support Agreement”) with Third Point, Daniel S. Loeb, Olivier Reza, Harry J. Wilson and other entities affiliated with Third Point (together with Third Point, the “Third Point Entities”) pursuant to which Sotheby's and Third Point settled the previously pending proxy contest for the election of directors. Pursuant to the Support Agreement, on May 4, 2014, Sotheby's Board of Directors expanded the size of the Board to 15 directors and appointed Mr. Loeb, Mr. Reza and Mr. Wilson (the “Third Point Nominees”) to fill the resulting vacancies. In addition, Sotheby's agreed to nominate each of the Third Point Nominees for election to the Board of Directors at the 2014 Annual Meeting alongside Sotheby's previously recommended Director nominees. Pursuant to the Support Agreement, Third Point will also have certain replacement rights in the event these nominees are unable to serve as Directors. At such time as Third Point and its controlled affiliates cease to collectively beneficially own a “net long” position of at least 3,324,999 shares of the Sotheby's Common Stock (subject to adjustment for any stock dividends, stock splits or similar actions), each of the Third Point Nominees has agreed to promptly resign from the Board. At least one of the Third Point Nominees will have the opportunity to join each of the committees of the Board of Directors (subject to independence and other applicable requirements). Specific committee memberships of the Third Point Nominees include: Mr. Loeb - Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Executive Committee and Business Strategy Committee; Mr. Reza - Finance Committee and Business Strategy Committee; and Mr. Wilson - Compensation Committee, Finance Committee and the Business Strategy Committee.
	The Support Agreement contains various other terms and provisions, including with respect to standstill and voting commitments entered into by Third Point, reimbursement by Sotheby's of Third Point's out-of-pocket, documented expenses in connection with the nomination of the Third Point Nominees and the litigation concerning the Rights Plan of up to an aggregate of $10 million, Third Point’s withdrawal of litigation concerning the Rights Plan (see Note 9), and the accelerated expiration of Sotheby's Rights

Earnings_Loss_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share	'
	The table below summarizes the computation of basic and diluted loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Numerator:
	Net loss attributable to Sotheby’s	$	(6,114	)	$	(22,345	)
	Less: Net income attributable to participating securities	—			—
	Net loss attributable to Sotheby’s common shareholders	$	(6,114	)	$	(22,345	)
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding	69,143			67,951
	Basic and diluted loss per share - Sotheby’s common shareholders	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.33	)

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	'
	The table below presents Sotheby’s revenues and (loss) income before taxes by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands of dollars):
	Three Months ended March 31, 2014	Agency			Principal			Finance		All Other		Reconciling items			Total
	Revenues	$	123,128		$	26,001		$	8,215	$	2,000	$	(2,533	)	$	156,811
	Segment (loss) income before taxes*	$	(7,191	)	$	949		$	5,164	$	1,343	$	(5,983	)	$	(5,718	)
	Three Months ended March 31, 2013	Agency			Principal			Finance		All Other		Reconciling items			Total
	Revenues	$	94,175		$	1,083		$	7,117	$	1,554	$	(2,184	)	$	101,745
	Segment (loss) income before taxes*	$	(36,908	)	$	(942	)	$	5,163	$	948	$	(4	)	$	(31,743	)
Schedule of Auction Segment Revenue	'
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, Agency segment revenues consisted of the following (in thousands of dollars):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Auction commissions	$	104,673		$	78,564
	Private sale commissions	13,055			13,624
	Auction guarantee and inventory activities	670			(575		)
	Other Agency revenues	4,730			2,562
	Total Agency segment revenues	$	123,128		$	94,175
Reconciliation of Segment Assets to Consolidated Assets	'
	The table below presents Sotheby's assets by segment, as well as a reconciliation of segment assets to consolidated assets as of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013 (in thousands of dollars):
		March 31, 2014			December 31,			March 31, 2013
					2013
	Agency	$	1,477,104		$	2,261,482		$	1,686,220
	Principal	90,271			82,560			86,560
	Finance	501,822			480,103			403,701
	All Other	1,380			1,496			943
	Total Segment Assets	2,070,577			2,825,641			2,177,424
	Unallocated amounts:
	Deferred tax assets and income tax receivable	80,161			67,905			93,096
	Consolidated assets	$	2,150,738		$	2,893,546		$	2,270,520

Receivables_Tables

Receivables (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Notes Receivable (Net) by Segment	'
	As of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013, Notes Receivable (net) consisted of the following (in thousands of dollars):
			March 31,		December 31,		March 31,
			2014		2013		2013
	Finance segment:
	Consignor advances		$	96,338	$	139,007	$	101,740
	Term loans		360,830		335,426		298,863
	Total Finance segment secured loans		457,168		474,433		400,603
	Agency segment:
	Agency guarantee advances		7,725		28,000		24,877
	Agency consignor advance		3,000		—		—
	Unsecured loan		2,142		2,142		2,142
	Principal segment:
	Secured loans		5,525		5,825		3,525
	Other:
	Unsecured loan		2,950		3,025		—
	Total Notes Receivable (net)		$	478,510	$	513,425	$	431,147
Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators	'
	The table below provides the aggregate LTV ratio for the Finance segment portfolio of secured loans as of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013 (in thousands of dollars):
			March 31,		December 31,		March 31,
			2014		2013		2013
	Finance segment secured loans		$	457,168	$	474,433	$	400,603
	Low auction estimate of collateral		$	1,075,376	$	1,180,406	$	869,264
	Aggregate LTV ratio		43%		40%		46%
	The table below provides the aggregate LTV ratio for Finance segment secured loans with an LTV above 50% as of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013 (in thousands of dollars):
			March 31,		December 31,		March 31,
			2014		2013		2013
	Finance segment secured loans with an LTV above 50%		$	169,783	$	181,027	$	131,618
	Low auction estimate of collateral related to Finance segment secured loans with an LTV above 50%		$	268,621	$	295,255	$	200,711
	Aggregate LTV ratio of Finance segment secured loans with an LTV above 50%		63%		61%		66%
Summary of Other Credit Quality Information Regarding Finance Segment Secured Loans	'
	The table below provides other credit quality information regarding Finance segment secured loans as of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013 (in thousands of dollars):
			March 31,		December 31,		March 31,
			2014		2013		2013
	Total secured loans		$	457,168	$	474,433	$	400,603
	Loans past due		$	18,791	$	24,129	$	27,269
	Loans more than 90 days past due		$	12,483	$	1,266	$	24,727
	Non-accrual loans		$	—	$	—	$	—
	Impaired loans		$	—	$	—	$	—
	Allowance for credit losses:
	Allowance for credit losses - impaired loans		$	—	$	—	$	—
	Allowance for credit losses based on historical data		1,821		1,746		1,478
	Total Allowance for Credit Losses - secured loans		$	1,821	$	1,746	$	1,478
Activity Related to Allowance For Credit Losses	'
	During the period January 1, 2014 to March 31, 2014, activity related to the Allowance for Credit Losses was as follows (in thousands of dollars):
	Allowance for credit losses as of January 1, 2014	$	1,746
	Change in loan loss provision	75
	Allowance for credit losses as of March 31, 2014	$	1,821

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes outstanding borrowings, borrowing capacity, and other information relevant to the New Credit Agreements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2014 (in thousands of dollars):
			Finance Credit Agreement			Agency Credit Agreement			Total
	Borrowing base		$	286,077		$	74,004		$	360,081
	Borrowings outstanding		$	185,000		$	—		$	185,000
	Available borrowing base		$	101,077		$	74,004		$	175,081
	Average borrowings outstanding		$	91,944		$	—		$	91,944
	Borrowing costs		$	710		$	597		$	1,307
Schedule of Debt	'
	Long-Term Debt—As of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013, Long-Term Debt consisted of the following (in thousands of dollars):
			March 31,			December 31,			March 31,
			2014			2013			2013
	York Property Mortgage, net of unamortized discount of $4,455, $5,346, and $8,020		$	218,742		$	218,778		$	218,538
	2022 Senior Notes		300,000			300,000			300,000
	Convertible Notes, net of unamortized discount of $1,754 as of March 31, 2013		—			—			180,114
	Less current portion:
	York Property Mortgage		(3,581		)	(3,630		)	(3,378		)
	Convertible Notes		—			—			(180,114		)
	Total Long-Term Debt, net		$	515,161		$	515,148		$	515,160
Aggregate Future Principal And Interest Payments	'
	The aggregate future principal and interest payments due under Sotheby's credit facility borrowings and Long-Term Debt during the five-year period after the March 31, 2014 balance sheet date are as follows (in thousands of dollars):
	April 2014 to March 2015	$	31,754
	April 2015 to March 2016	$	239,267
	April 2016 to March 2017	$	15,750
	April 2017 to March 2018	$	15,750
	April 2018 to March 2019	$	200,750
Components of Interest Expense	'
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, Interest Expense consisted of the following (in thousands of dollars):
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2014			2013
	Agency Credit Agreement:
	Amortization of amendment and arrangement fees		$	324		$	302
	Commitment fees		273			362
	Sub-total		597			664
	York Property Mortgage		4,060			4,103
	2022 Senior Notes		3,938			3,938
	Convertible Notes		—			3,463
	Other interest expense		188			347
	Total Interest Expense		$	8,783		$	12,515

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plan_T

Defined Benefit Pension Plan (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Pension Benefit Plan	'
	The table below summarizes the components of the net pension benefit related to the U.K. Pension Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands of dollars):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Service cost	$	1,130		$	914
	Interest cost	3,927			3,316
	Expected return on plan assets	(5,819		)	(4,879		)
	Amortization of previously unrecognized net pension losses	589			362
	Net pension benefit	$	(173	)	$	(287	)

ShareBased_Payments_Tables

Share-Based Payments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Compensation Expense Related to Share-Based Payments	'
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, compensation expense related to share-based payments was as follows (in thousands of dollars):
	For the three months ended March 31,		2014				2013
	Pre-Tax		$	6,247			$	4,432
	After-Tax		$	4,152			$	3,646
Changes in Number of Outstanding Restricted Stock, RSU's and PSU's	'
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014, changes to the number of outstanding RSU’s and PSU’s were as follows (shares in thousands):
		Number of RSU’s			Weighted
		and PSU’s			Average
					Grant Date
					Fair Value
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014	1,823			$	35.37
	Granted	651			$	44.68
	Vested	(538	)		$	30.88
	Canceled	(24	)		$	38.93
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014	1,912			$	39.76
Changes in Number of Stock Options Outstanding	'
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014, changes to the number of stock options outstanding were as follows (options and aggregate intrinsic value in thousands):
		Options			Weighted Average				Weighted Average	Aggregate
					Exercise Price				Remaining	Intrinsic Value
									Contractual Term (in Years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014	93			$	22.11
	Exercised	(43	)		$	22.11
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014	50			$	22.11			5.9	$	1,072
	Exercisable at March 31, 2014	50			$	22.11			5.9	$	1,072

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	The following is a summary of the changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands of dollars):
	Three Months ended March 31, 2014	Foreign Currency Items			Defined Benefit Pension Items			Total
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	(1,352	)	$	(38,101	)	$	(39,453	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,866			(398		)	1,468
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	2,058			472			2,530
	Net other comprehensive income	3,924			74			3,998
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	2,572		$	(38,027	)	$	(35,455	)
	Three Months ended March 31, 2013	Foreign Currency Items			Defined Benefit Pension Items			Total
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	(16,084	)	$	(34,291	)	$	(50,375	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(26,202		)	2,102			(24,100		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			279			279
	Net other comprehensive (loss) income	(26,202		)	2,381			(23,821		)
	Balance at March 31, 2013	$	(42,286	)	$	(31,910	)	$	(74,196	)

Basis_of_Presentation_Basis_of

Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation (Details)	Mar. 31, 2014
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	80.00%
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	20.00%

Seasonality_of_Business_Schedu

Seasonality of Business (Schedule of Seasonality) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014
			principal_selling_season
Seasonality Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of principal selling seasons	'	'	2
Q2 and Q4 Net Auction Sales as a percentage of total auction sales	83.00%	84.00%	'
Auction Commission Revenues as Percentage of Total Revenues	81.00%	81.00%	'

Earnings_Loss_Per_Share_Narrat

Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Jun. 20, 2008
			Convertible Notes Member
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stated interest rate of convertible debt	'	'	3.13%
Potential common share excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share	2	2.2	'

Earnings_Loss_Per_Share_Comput

Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 11, 2008	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net income	'	($6,114)	($22,345)
Less: Net income attributable to participating securities	'	0	0
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Shareholders, Basic & Diluted	'	($6,114)	($22,345)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted	'	69,143,000	67,951,000
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	'	($0.09)	($0.33)
Warrants (shares)	5,900,000	'	'

Segment_Reporting_Schedule_of_

Segment Reporting (Schedule of Revenue and (Loss) Income before Taxes by Segment) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2013
	segment
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'		'		'
Intercompany Charge	$1,100,000		$600,000		'
Special Charges	5,703,000		0		'
Number of operating segments	3		'		'
Revenues	156,811,000		101,745,000		'
Principal Revenues	26,001,000		1,083,000		'
Agency and Related Revenues	123,128,000		94,175,000		'
Segment income (loss) before taxes	-5,718,000	[1]	-31,743,000	[1]	'
Inventory, Net	177,639,000		91,797,000		192,140,000
Maximum [Member]	'		'		'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'		'		'
Short-term interest-free advance maturity term	'6 months		'		'
Finance [Member]	'		'		'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'		'		'
Revenues	8,215,000		7,117,000		'
Segment income (loss) before taxes	5,164,000	[1]	5,163,000	[1]	'
All Other [Member]	'		'		'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'		'		'
Revenues	2,000,000		1,554,000		'
Segment income (loss) before taxes	1,343,000	[1]	948,000	[1]	'
Reconciling Items [Member]	'		'		'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'		'		'
Revenues	-2,533,000		-2,184,000		'
Segment income (loss) before taxes	-5,983,000	[1]	-4,000	[1]	'
Special reconciling items	300,000		'		'
Agency [Member]	'		'		'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'		'		'
Revenues	123,128,000		94,175,000		'
Segment income (loss) before taxes	-7,191,000	[1]	-36,908,000	[1]	'
Principal [Member]	'		'		'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'		'		'
Revenues	'		1,083,000		'
Segment income (loss) before taxes	$949,000	[1]	($942,000)	[1]	'
[1]	* For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, Finance segment income before taxes includes $1.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively, of intercompany charges from Sotheby's global treasury function. As the Finance segment continues to implement the debt financing of its loan portfolio, it is expected that such charges will decrease (see Notes 5 and 6).

Segment_Reporting_Schedule_of_1

Segment Reporting Schedule of Auction Segment Revenue (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'	'
Auction commission revenues	$104,673	$78,564
Private sale commission revenue	13,055	13,624
Auction Guarantee and Inventory Activities Revenue	670	-575
Other Agency and Related Revenue	4,730	2,562
Total revenues	156,811	101,745
Agency [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'	'
Total revenues	123,128	94,175
Reconciling Items [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'	'
Total revenues	($2,533)	($2,184)

Segment_Reporting_Reconciliati

Segment Reporting (Reconciliation of Segment Assets to Consolidated Assets) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'	'	'
Consolidated assets	$2,150,738	$2,893,546	$2,270,520
Deferred tax assets and income tax receivable	80,161	67,905	93,096
Agency [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'	'	'
Consolidated assets	1,477,104	2,261,482	1,686,220
Total Segment Assets [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'	'	'
Consolidated assets	2,070,577	2,825,641	2,177,424
Principal [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'	'	'
Consolidated assets	90,271	82,560	86,560
Finance [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'	'	'
Consolidated assets	501,822	480,103	403,701
All Other [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'	'	'
Consolidated assets	$1,380	$1,496	$943

Receivables_Narrative_Details

Receivables (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Apr. 30, 2014

Apr. 30, 2014

5-May-14

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

type_of_secured_loan

type_of_secured_loan

loan

loan

Finance [Member]

Finance [Member]

Finance [Member]

All Other Segments [Member]

All Other Segments [Member]

All Other Segments [Member]

Agency [Member]

Agency [Member]

Agency [Member]

Accounts Rec, Consignor Paid [Member]

Accounts Rec, Consignor Paid [Member]

Accounts Rec, Consignor Paid [Member]

Transfer of Possession Without Payment [Member]

Transfer of Possession Without Payment [Member]

Transfer of Possession Without Payment [Member]

Notes receivable past due [Member]

Notes Receivable 90 Days Past Due [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Up-front Payment Arrangement [Member]

Unsecured Loan [Member]

loan

loan

Finance [Member]

Agency [Member]

Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Buyer payment term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'30 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

Consignor payment term

'

'

'35 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Buyer receivables

'

'

'

'

$35,700,000

$16,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Buyer Receivables Related to One Buyer Classified Within Other LT Assets

'

'

'

'

32,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Consignor Payables Classified Within Other LT Liabilities

'

'

'

'

30,600,000

15,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net accounts receivable

522,886,000

'

522,886,000

'

467,030,000

812,582,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

176,100,000

130,500,000

186,000,000

92,100,000

92,100,000

70,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Types of Secured Loans

2

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Years for Consignor Advance Sale

'

'

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Short-term interest-free advance maturity term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'6 months

'

'

'

'

'

Term Loans Maturity

'

'

'2 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Lines of Credit

15,000,000

170,000,000

185,000,000

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

110,000,000

'

'

'

'

Secured Loan Issued To Refinance Auction Or Private Sale Receivable

'

'

7,100,000

'

6,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance of Secured Loan to Refinance Auction or Private Sale Receivable

63,900,000

'

63,900,000

'

76,400,000

72,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loan-to-value ratio

50.00%

'

50.00%

'

'

'

43.00%

40.00%

46.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loans past due

18,791,000

'

18,791,000

'

27,269,000

24,129,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loans more than 90 days past due

12,483,000

'

12,483,000

'

24,727,000

1,266,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net Notes Receivable Days Past Due - 90 (days)

'90 days

'

'90 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Low auction estimate of collateral

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,075,376,000

1,180,406,000

869,264,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

49,000,000

29,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Non-accrual loans

0

'

0

'

0

0

0

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment

0

'

0

'

0

0

0

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unfunded lending commitment to extend additional credit

24,900,000

'

24,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal Amount Outstanding of Loans Held-in-portfolio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

572,000,000

'

'

'

Notes receivable

163,443,000

'

163,443,000

'

121,417,000

176,529,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Agency guarantee advances

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,725,000

28,000,000

24,877,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

56,400,000

'

'

Advanced Amount Recorded As Notes Receivable And Consignor Advances

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,000,000

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Significant Unsecured Loans Used to Finance the Purchase of Works of Art Through Private Sales

1

'

1

'

1,000

1,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unsecured loan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,950,000

3,025,000

0

2,142,000

2,142,000

2,142,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Secured loans

'

'

'

'

'

'

457,168,000

474,433,000

400,603,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sales Price of Disposal of Equity Method Investment

'

'

'

4,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,500,000

Proceeds from the sale of equity method investment

'

'

50,000

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

800,000

'

Equity Method Investment, Realized Gain (Loss) on Disposal

'

'

'

$300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Receivables_Notes_Receivable_N

Receivables (Notes Receivable, Net) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total Notes Receivable (net)	$478,510	$513,425	$431,147
Finance [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Consignor advances	96,338	139,007	101,740
Term loans	360,830	335,426	298,863
Secured loans	457,168	474,433	400,603
Agency [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unsecured loan	2,142	2,142	2,142
Agency guarantee advances	7,725	28,000	24,877
Advanced Amount Recorded As Notes Receivable And Consignor Advances	3,000	0	0
Principal [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Secured loans	5,525	5,825	3,525
All Other Segments [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unsecured loan	$2,950	$3,025	$0

Receivables_Summary_of_Other_C

Receivables (Summary of Other Credit Quality Information Regarding Finance Segment Secured Loans) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Aggregate LTV ratio	50.00%	'	'
Loans past due	$18,791,000	$24,129,000	$27,269,000
Loans more than 90 days past due	12,483,000	1,266,000	24,727,000
Non-accrual loans	0	0	0
Impaired loans	0	0	0
Allowance for credit losses - impaired loans	0	0	0
Allowance for credit losses based on historical data	1,821,000	1,746,000	1,478,000
Total Allowance for Credit Losses - secured loans	1,821,000	1,746,000	1,478,000
Loan to Value Ratio Above 50% [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Finance segment secured loans	169,783,000	181,027,000	131,618,000
Low auction estimate of collateral	268,621,000	295,255,000	200,711,000
Aggregate LTV ratio	63.00%	61.00%	66.00%
Finance [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Finance segment secured loans	457,168,000	474,433,000	400,603,000
Low auction estimate of collateral	1,075,376,000	1,180,406,000	869,264,000
Aggregate LTV ratio	43.00%	40.00%	46.00%
Secured loans	457,168,000	474,433,000	400,603,000
Non-accrual loans	0	0	0
Impaired loans	$0	$0	$0

Receivables_Activity_Related_t

Receivables (Activity Related to Allowance for Credit Losses) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]	'	'
Allowance for credit losses, beginning balance	$1,746	$1,478
Change in loan loss provision	75	'
Allowance for credit losses, ending balance	$1,821	$1,478

Debt_Narrative_Details

Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

2 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

60 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

60 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Jun. 20, 2008

Jun. 11, 2008

Mar. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Aug. 31, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2008

Nov. 25, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 14, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 28, 2013

Jun. 26, 2013

Feb. 06, 2009

Apr. 30, 2014

Oct. 01, 2017

Jan. 11, 2008

Feb. 06, 2009

Feb. 28, 2009

Feb. 06, 2009

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Feb. 06, 2009

Sep. 28, 2012

Mar. 31, 2014

Oct. 01, 2017

Nov. 23, 2012

Jun. 20, 2008

Jun. 30, 2011

Jun. 18, 2008

Mar. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2008

Jun. 17, 2008

Jun. 30, 2008

Mar. 31, 2014

Feb. 13, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2011

Jun. 14, 2013

Sep. 30, 2011

warrant

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Signing Of Related Purchase And Sale Agreement On January 11, 2008 [Member]

Purchase Consummated On February 6, 2009 [Member]

Assumption Of Existing Mortgage [Member]

Assumption Of Existing Mortgage [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

York Property Mortgage Member [Member]

York Property Mortgage Member [Member]

Senior Notes 2022 [Member]

Senior Notes 2022 [Member]

Senior Notes 2022 [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Convertible Notes Member

Convertible Notes Member

Convertible Notes Member

Convertible Notes Member

Convertible Notes Member

Convertible Notes Member

Convertible Notes Member

Convertible Notes Member

Convertible Note Hedge And Warrant Transactions [Member]

New Credit Agreement [Member]

New Credit Agreement [Member]

Finance Segment Credit Agreement [Member]

Agency Segment Credit Agreement [Member]

Prior Credit Agreement [Member]

Prior Credit Agreement [Member]

Convertible Notes Member

Convertible Notes Member

Convertible Notes Member

Subsequent Event [Member]

Letter Of Credit [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Debt [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate During Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.10%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Expense, Debt, Excluding Amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

360,081,000

'

286,077,000

74,004,000

'

300,000,000

'

'

'

Maximum Amount of Increase In Borrowing Capacity Allowed

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum amount of net auction guarantees permissible

'

'

300,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

300,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

300,000,000

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

600,000,000

30,000,000

450,000,000

150,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, sub-limit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200,000,000

'

150,000,000

50,000,000

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

Credit facility, amount outstanding

'

'

185,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

185,000,000

0

'

0

'

0

'

'

'

295,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

185,000,000

'

185,000,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

Covenant, aggregate borrowing availability

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Covenant, total liquidity amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

150,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total life-to-date Credit Facility fees paid

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property acquisition price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

370,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Components of purchase price of land and buildings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,000,000

85,000,000

'

235,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

York mortgage property maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'JulyB 1, 2035

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument stated interest percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.60%

'

'

5.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt, fair value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

226,400,000

212,100,000

'

292,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Discount Initially Recorded On The Entity's Mortgage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fees paid in conjunction with assumption of mortgage property

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate principal value of debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

300,000,000

300,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'OctoberB 1, 2022

'

'

'

'

'

'

'JuneB 15, 2013

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net Proceeds From the Issuance of Long Term Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

293,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of senior notes principal as part of redemption price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of principal amount of debt as component of premium price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum percentage of redeemable 2022 Senior notes principal

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

35.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Redemption price percentage of 2022 Senior Notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

105.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt, gross

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

80,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stated interest rate of convertible debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.13%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net proceeds from convertible notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

194,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible notes conversion ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

29.592

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Conversion per principal value of convertible notes

1,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible notes conversion price, per share

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$33.79

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Incremental common shares attributable to call options and warrants

'

5,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock price per share to be acquired through warrant (usd per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

44.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Warrant exercise daily limit (warrants)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

118,348

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Warrant exercise daily limit time period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'50 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net proceeds from sale of warrant

'

22,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible Notes Payable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

161,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated Debt Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Embedded Derivative, No Longer Bifurcated, Amount Reclassified to Stockholders' Equity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

38,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Equity Component of Convertible Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayments of Convertible Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22,500,000

197,400,000

'

Repayments of Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

181,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Convertible, Beneficial Conversion Feature

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,400,000

15,500,000

'

Liability for Conversion Option Reclassified to Stockholders Equity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21,800,000

8,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Embedded Net Of Tax

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12,000,000

5,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments for (Proceeds from) Derivative Instrument, Financing Activities

'

'

'

'

15,500,000

4,400,000

'

40,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,500,000

Payments for (Proceeds from) Derivative Instruments, Financing Activities, Net of Tax

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Carrying Value Of Convertible Note Hedge Recorded In Equity Net Of Taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible Note Hedge reclassification

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible Note Hedge Reclassification Net of Taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Carrying Value Of Convertible Note Hedge Reclassified to Other Current Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Other

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

722,288

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of Debt Discount (Premium)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

891,000

'

'

2,933,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred Finance Costs, Net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,800,000

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Lines of Credit

'

'

$15,000,000

$170,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

$185,000,000

'

'

$0

'

'

'

'

'

$110,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt_Summary_of_LongTerm_Debt_

Debt (Summary of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt [Line Items]	'	'	'
Less current portion	($3,581)	($3,630)	($183,492)
Long-term debt, excluding current portion	515,161	515,148	515,160
York Property Mortgage [Member]	'	'	'
Debt [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-term debt	218,742	218,778	218,538
Less current portion	-3,581	-3,630	-3,378
Unamortized discount	4,455	5,346	8,020
Senior Notes 2022 [Member]	'	'	'
Debt [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-term debt	300,000	300,000	300,000
Convertible Notes [Member]	'	'	'
Debt [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-term debt	0	0	180,114
Less current portion	0	0	-180,114
Unamortized discount	$0	$0	$1,754

Debt_Aggregate_Future_Principa

Debt (Aggregate Future Principal and Interest Payments) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instruments [Abstract]	'
April 2014 to March 2015	$31,754
April 2015 to March 2016	239,267
April 2016 to March 2017	15,750
April 2017 to March 2018	15,750
April 2018 to March 2019	$200,750

Debt_Components_of_Interest_Ex

Debt (Components of Interest Expense) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Amortization of amendment and arrangement fees	$324	$302
Commitment fees	273	362
Sub-total	597	664
Interest expense	8,783	12,515
Other interest expense	188	347
York Property Mortgage [Member]	'	'
Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Interest expense	4,060	4,103
Senior Notes 2022 [Member]	'	'
Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Interest expense	3,938	3,938
Convertible Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Interest expense	$0	$3,463

Debt_Convertible_Note_Interest

Debt (Convertible Note Interest Expenses) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Debt Conversion [Line Items]	'	'
Amortization of debt discount	$891	$2,933
Convertible Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Conversion [Line Items]	'	'
Amortization of debt discount	'	$2,000

Debt_Schedule_of_Line_of_Credi

Debt Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified				Finance Segment Credit Agreement [Member]	Agency Segment Credit Agreement [Member]	New Credit Agreement [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	'	'	'	$286,077	$74,004	$360,081
Credit facility, amount outstanding	185,000	0	0	185,000	0	185,000
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	'	'	'	101,077	74,004	175,081
Line of Credit Facility, Average Outstanding Amount	'	'	'	91,944	0	91,944
Line of Credit Facility, Borrowing Costs	'	'	'	$710	$597	$1,307

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plan_C

Defined Benefit Pension Plan (Components of Net Pension Benefits Related to U.K. Pension Plan Assets) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Service cost	$1,130	$914
Interest cost	3,927	3,316
Expected return on plan assets	-5,819	-4,879
Amortization of previously unrecognized net pension losses	589	362
Net pension benefit	($173)	($287)

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plan_N

Defined Benefit Pension Plan (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Contributions	$0.80
Estimated future contributions in 2014	$3.20

Client_Deposits_Details

Client Deposits (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Client Deposits [Abstract]	'	'	'
Customer Deposits, Current	$0	$0	$63,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	4 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	7-May-14	5-May-14	Apr. 02, 2014
		Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
				count
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Employment Arrangement Expiration Date Range Start	'April 2014	'	'	'
Employment Arrangement Expiration Date Range End	'December 2017	'	'	'
Beneficial Ownership Percentage of 13G Investor	20.00%	'	'	'
Number of counts	'	'	'	2
Commitment for salaries and other cash compensation under employment arrangement	$14.70	'	'	'
Settlement date	'35 days	'180 days	'	'
Guarantee of collection	$5.40	$85.60	$34.80	'

Guarantees_Details

Guarantees (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 28, 2013	Jun. 26, 2013
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Client goodwill gesture	$1,700,000	'	'	'	'
Maximum amount of net auction guarantees permissible	'	300,000,000	'	300,000,000	100,000,000
Estimated fair value of obligation to perform under auction guarantees	2,400,000	9,800,000	2,900,000	'	'
Agency [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Agency guarantee advances	$24,877,000	$7,725,000	$28,000,000	'	'

Guarantees_Additional_Informat

Guarantees - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	5-May-14
In Millions, unless otherwise specified		Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'
Outstanding guarantee	$219	$284.70
Irrevocable bids	$35.50	$88.20

Shareholders_Equity_and_Divide1

Shareholders' Equity and Dividend (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	6-May-14	Mar. 31, 2014	Oct. 04, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
		Special Dividend [Member]	Quarterly Dividend [Member]	All Countries [Domain]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock [Member]	Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]
					Quarterly Dividend [Member]
Dividends, Common Stock	'	$300,000,000	$6,900,000	'	$6,900,000	'	'	'
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	'	$4.34	$0.10	'	$0.10	'	'	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Period in Force	'5 years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	150,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign Earnings Repatriated	'	'	'	250,000,000	'	'	'	'
Funding of Dividend by Domestic Cash	'	50,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividend Equivalents Accrued	11,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividend Equivalents Paid	4,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	558,171	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	25,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share Price of Stock Repurchased	$44.79	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividend Declared of Preferred Share Purchase Right	'	'	'	'	'	'	1	'
Exercise Price of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock	'	'	'	'	'	$200	'	'
Number of Common Stock Share Equivalents of Stockholders Rights Plan Preferred Shares	1	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Rights Plan Waiting Period	'10 days	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Beneficial Ownership Percentage of Acquiring Person under Stockholders Rights Plan	10.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Beneficial Ownership Percentage of 13G Investor under Stockholders Rights Plan	20.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Maximum Acquiring Person Ownership Percentage for Board Participation in Stockholders Rights Plan	50.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of Common Stock Shares Board Members May Exchange for each Right under Stockholders Rights Plan	1	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Qualifying Offer Commencement Period Related to Stockholders Rights Plan	'100 days	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Qualifying Offer Purchase Percentage under Stockholders Rights Plan	50.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred Stock Shares Designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,000,000
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.01	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

ShareBased_Payments_Compensati

Share-Based Payments (Compensation Expense Related to Share-Based Payments) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'	'
Pre-Tax	$6,247	$4,432
After-Tax	$4,152	$3,646

ShareBased_Payments_Narrative_

Share-Based Payments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Oct. 04, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Company S Incentive Compensation Programs Member

CEO September2010 Employment Agreement Member

Restricted Stock, RSU's And PSU's [Member]

Restricted Stock, RSU's And PSU's [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Performance Shares [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock [Member]

Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Company S Incentive Compensation Programs Member

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Excess tax benefits related to share-based payment arrangements

$3,100,000

$2,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested portion of share-based payments

42,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Compensation expense is expected to be amortized over a weighted-average period

'2 years 8 months 18 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Vesting period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'4 years

'

'

'

'3 years

'3 years

'4 years

Shares granted (shares)

651,000

'

'

344,692

78,511

'

'

'

'

227,936

423,203

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of shares issued

29,100,000

'

'

15,400,000

3,500,000

'

'

'

'

10,200,000

18,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of share vested

'

'

'

'

'

25,300,000

26,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares available for future awards (shares)

35,350

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock options expiration period

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate intrinsic value of option exercised

1,200,000

1,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options

967,000

2,155,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Excess tax benefits realized from the exercise of stock options

300,000

300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred share dividend

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

Common stock, par value (usd per share)

$0.01

$0.01

$0.01

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercise price per warrant (usd per warrant)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$200

'

'

'

'

'

Number of common share equivalents (share)

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Waiting period

'10 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Beneficial ownership needed

10.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Beneficial Ownership Percentage of 13G Investor

20.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number common stock shares exchanged (share)

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum acquiring person ownership

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commencement period

'100 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Qualifying offer purchase

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred stocks shares designated as Series A participating preferred stock (shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,000,000

'

'

'

Preferred Stock, par value (usd per share)

$0.01

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

ShareBased_Payments_Changes_in

Share-Based Payments (Changes in Number of Outstanding Restricted Stock, RSU's And PSU's) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]	'
Outstanding at January 1, 2014, Number of RSU's and PSU's, Shares	1,823
Granted, Number of RSU's and PSU's, Shares	651
Vested, Number of RSU's and PSU's, Shares	-538
Canceled, Number of RSU's and PSU's, Shares	-24
Outstanding at March 31, 2014, Number of RSU's and PSU's, Shares	1,912
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]	'
Outstanding at January 1, 2014, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in usd per share)	$35.37
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in usd per share)	$44.68
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in usd per share)	$30.88
Canceled, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in usd per share)	$38.93
Outstanding at March 31, 2014, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in usd per share)	$39.76

ShareBased_Payments_Changes_in1

Share-Based Payments (Changes in Number of Stock Options Outstanding) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'
Outstanding at January 1, 2014, Options	93
Exercised, Options	-43
Outstanding at March 31, 2014, Options	50
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]	'
Oustanding at January 1, 2014, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in usd per share)	$22.11
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in usd per share)	$22.11
Outstanding at March 31, 2014, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in usd per share)	$22.11
Outstanding at March 31, 2014, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'5 years 10 months 18 days
Outstanding at March 31, 2014, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$1,072
Exercisable at March 31, 2014, Options	50
Exercisable at March 31, 2014, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in usd per share)	$22.11
Exercisable at March 31, 2014, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'5 years 10 months 18 days
Exercisable at March 31, 2014, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$1,072

Special_Charges_Details

Special Charges (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Special Charges [Abstract]	'	'
Special Charges	$5,703	$0

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance, beginning period	($39,453)	($50,375)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,468	-24,100
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	2,530	279
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3,998	-23,821
Balance, ending period	-35,455	-74,196
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance, beginning period	-1,352	-16,084
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,866	-26,202
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	2,058	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3,924	-26,202
Balance, ending period	2,572	-42,286
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance, beginning period	-38,101	-34,291
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-398	2,102
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	472	279
Other comprehensive income (loss)	74	2,381
Balance, ending period	($38,027)	($31,910)

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments, Owned, Federal Income Tax Note [Line Items]	'
Capital Returned to Shareholders	$325
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	25
Estimated Annual Effective Income Tax Rate	36.00%
Increase in Effective Tax Rate Due to Non Reinvestment of Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries	6.00%
Special Dividend [Member]	'
Investments, Owned, Federal Income Tax Note [Line Items]	'
Dividends, Common Stock	300
Funding of Dividend by Domestic Cash	50
All Countries [Domain]	'
Investments, Owned, Federal Income Tax Note [Line Items]	'
Foreign Earnings Repatriated	250
Switzerland [Member]	'
Investments, Owned, Federal Income Tax Note [Line Items]	'
Foreign Earnings Repatriated	120
U. K. [Member]	'
Investments, Owned, Federal Income Tax Note [Line Items]	'
Foreign Earnings Repatriated	105
Hong Kong [Member]	'
Investments, Owned, Federal Income Tax Note [Line Items]	'
Foreign Earnings Repatriated	$25

Uncertain_Tax_Positions_Narrat

Uncertain Tax Positions (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Tax Uncertainties [Abstract]	'	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	$22.90	$25.40	$33.30
Unrecognized tax benefits, period decrease	2.5	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	12	11.7	17.1
Decrease in unrecognized tax benefits within 12 months	5.3	'	'
Decrease in accrual for interest & penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits	$0.20	'	'

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenue from Related Parties	$600,000	$500,000	'
Net accounts receivable from related party transaction	2,500,000	4,100,000	2,700,000
Notes receivable	$163,443,000	$121,417,000	$176,529,000

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	6-May-14	5-May-14
			Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
				director
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of Directors	'	'	'	15
Minimum Number of Common Stock Shares Required to be Owned by Certain Directors to Maintain Board of Director Status	'	'	'	3,324,999
Special Charges	$5,703	$0	$10,000	'