AUCTION - Black's Law Dictionary

What is AUCTION? Definition of AUCTION in Black's Law Dictionary

A public sale of land or goods, at public outcry, to the highest bidder. Perry Trading Co. v. City of Tallahassee, 128 Fla. 424, 174 So. 854, 857, 111 A.L.R. 463.

A sale by auction is a, sale by public outcry to the highest bidder on the spot. Barber Lumber Co. v. Gifford, 25 Idaho, 654, 139 P. 557, 560.

While auction is very generally defined as a sale to the highest bidder, and this is the usual meaning, there may be a sale to the lowest bidder, as where land is sold for non-payment of taxes to whomsoever will take it for the shortest term; or where a contract is offered to the one who will perform it at the lowest price. And these appear fairly included In the term "auction." Abbott.

Dutch Auction
A method of sale by auction which consists in the public offer of the property at a price beyond its value, and then gradually lowering the price until some one becomes the purchaser. Crandall v. State, 28 Ohio St. 482.

Public Auction
A sale of property at auction, where any and all persons who choose are permitted to attend and offer bids. The phrase imports a sale to the highest and best bidder with absolute freedom for competitive bidding. State v. Miller, 52 Mont. 562, 160 P. 513, 515.

Though this phrase is frequently used, It is doubtful whether the word "public" adds anything to the force of the expression, since4"auction" itself imports publicity. If there can be such a thing as a private auction, it must be one where the property is sold to the highest bidder, but only certain persons, or a certain class of persons, are permitted to be present or to offer bids.

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