‘At an Auction Leigh & Sotheby's / Marquis Lansdowns (sic) Sale/ of Books’.

The Marquis of Lansdowne's library sale took place from 6 January - 12 February 1806, 'Sundays and the day on which the Lord Nelson is to be interred excepted'. This was the collection of William Petty Fitzmaurice, former Prime Minister, who had died in May 1805. After his death, in early 1806, there were also sales of drawings and paintings held on the premises at Lansdowne House, Berkeley Square by Coxe, Burrell and Foster.
John Nixon was a wealthy merchant and an amateur artist. He travelled extensively, recording individuals and street scenes in rapid, annotated sketches. Here, he turns his attention to what would have been a London social event - a great auction.