Founded in 1826, Lyon & Turnbull has grown from a respected Scottish auctioneer into one of the UK’s leading auction houses. Nearly two centuries later, our story is woven through the objects, people and places that continue to define us.
From those early sales in Market Street to international attention today, Lyon & Turnbull’s history reflects how the auction house evolved with a changing world, shaped by generations of specialists, collectors and objects along the way.
Discover more about the history of Lyon & Turnbull from Jonathan Lyon's first auction to our vision for the future.
Lyon & Turnbull traces its origins to 1826, when Jonathan Lyon, a former spirit merchant, first advertised himself as an auctioneer in Edinburgh’s Market Street. His early sales were modest - household goods, seized items, even fire-irons and carpets - but they marked the beginning of an organisation that is still going strong after 200 years.
By the mid 1800s, Lyon’s son William had joined the trade and in 1863 he partnered with William Elliot Turnbull, establishing the name that still defines the business today. Together they built a reputation for lively, well respected and wide-ranging sales that captured the spirit of Victorian Edinburgh.
"Having recently commenced business as auctioneer and appraiser, I take the liberty most respectfully to solicit your patronage..."
- Jonathan Lyon, 1826
From weekly Lane Sales to Scotland’s leading auction house
The early 20th century saw Lyon & Turnbull grow into one of Scotland’s leading auction houses. Week after week, we advertised as many as twenty upcoming sales in The Scotsman, covering everything from country estates to fine antiques. Even as the world changed dramatically, through two World Wars and the economic upheavals of the interwar years, the saleroom remained a constant presence in Edinburgh life.
In the second half of the 20th century, Lyon & Turnbull remained a familiar and agile presence throughout Edinburgh. From the salerooms at 51 George Street to the internationally recognised “Lane Sales” behind the building and regular auctions held in private homes as part of estate dispersals, we operated wherever the city needed it.
While the saleroom provided the backdrop for significant works by leading Scottish artists of the era, including F.C.B. Cadell (offered 13 March 1926) and S.J. Peploe (offered 2 July 1927), the Lane Sales played an equally defining role. These weekly outdoor auctions offered a more democratic way for people to buy and sell: larger items of furniture, everyday pieces, and estate clearances were laid out in the open, drawing in a wide cross-section of Edinburgh. This side of the business was incredibly important to Lyon & Turnbull’s identity; high-volume, fast-moving and closely woven into the rhythm of the city.
The catalogues of the period reflected this breadth, pairing fine antiques and jewellery with unexpected consignments ranging from fire engines and curiosities to, famously, an Egyptian mummy. Auctioneers of the era, remembered for their wit and theatre, gave the salerooms a lively character, keeping them central to the city’s social life. As the decades progressed, the auction world evolved with growing competition from London and Lyon & Turnbull began to adapt, laying the groundwork for its next chapter.
Auctioneers report a wide public interest in art in Scotland. The public and the dealers flock to sales and auctions where paintings are offered.
The Scotsman, 1961
In 1999, following a brief hiatus, the company was revived by a group of investors and former Phillips staff led by Sir Angus Grossart, ushering in a new chapter. Since then, Lyon & Turnbull has expanded its reach throughout the UK and internationally. The company’s headquarters moved to a converted 19th-century church at Broughton Place, Edinburgh, with additional locations established in London and Glasgow.
The auction house has achieved a number of record results, including the sale of a French Gothic ivory casket for £1.45 million in 2021 and a signer’s copy of the American Declaration of Independence, which realised $4 million when presented to market in partnership with, Freeman’s, America's largest firm of auctioneers.
Today the L&T team conduct over 50 specialist auctions annually, spanning fine art, contemporary and decorative design, Scottish art, jewellery and books. Its strategic partnership with Freeman’s Auctioneers connects the two oldest auction houses in Scotland and the United States, strengthening their joint international presence.
Lyon & Turnbull describes its guiding values as passion and authenticity, expressed through its specialists’ enthusiasm, transparency, and market expertise. The firm’s approach emphasises careful research, ethical practice and long-term relationships with consignors and collectors.
