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Shareholders' Equity and Dividends (Schedule of Quarterly Dividends Declared and Paid) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dividends Payable [Line Items]      
Dividends declared (usd per share) $ 4.74us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared $ 0.2us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared $ 0.52us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared
Quarterly Dividend [Member]      
Dividends Payable [Line Items]      
Dividends declared (usd per share) $ 0.40us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared
/ us-gaap_DividendsAxis
= bid_QuarterlyDividendMember
$ 0.2us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared
/ us-gaap_DividendsAxis
= bid_QuarterlyDividendMember
$ 0.52us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared
/ us-gaap_DividendsAxis
= bid_QuarterlyDividendMember
Dividends, common stock $ 27,636us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock
/ us-gaap_DividendsAxis
= bid_QuarterlyDividendMember
$ 13,754us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock
/ us-gaap_DividendsAxis
= bid_QuarterlyDividendMember
$ 35,223us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock
/ us-gaap_DividendsAxis
= bid_QuarterlyDividendMember