SOTHEBYS as Issuer AND THE INITIAL SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO AND U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION as Trustee INDENTURE Dated as of June 17, 2008 3.125% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013

(vii) if applicable, the applicable Conversion Rate, and any adjustments to the applicable Conversion Rate;

(viii) if applicable, that the Notes with respect to which a Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice has been delivered by a holder may be converted only if the holder withdraws the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

(ix) that the holder must exercise the repurchase right on or prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (the “Fundamental Change Expiration Time”);

(x) that the holder shall have the right to withdraw any Notes surrendered prior to the Fundamental Change Expiration Time; and

(xi) the procedures that holders must follow to require the Company to repurchase their Notes.

No failure of the Company to give the foregoing notices and no defect therein shall limit the Noteholders’ repurchase rights or affect the validity of the proceedings for the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to this Section 16.02.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Notes may be repurchased by the Company at the option of the holders upon a Fundamental Change if the principal amount of the Notes has been accelerated, and such acceleration has not been rescinded, on or prior to the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a default by the Company in the payment of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price with respect to such Notes).

(d) In connection with any purchase offer, the Company will:

(i) comply with the provisions of Rule 13e-4, Rule 14e-1 and any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act, if required under the Exchange Act,

(ii) file a Schedule TO or any successor or similar schedule, if required under the Exchange Act, and

(iii) otherwise comply with all federal and state securities laws in connection with any offer by the Company to purchase the Notes.

Section 16.03. Withdrawal of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice.

(a) A Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice may be withdrawn by means of a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the Corporate Trust Office of the Paying Agent in accordance with this Section 16.03 at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, specifying:

(i) the certificate number, if any, of the Note in respect of which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted, or the appropriate Depositary information if the Note in respect of which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted is represented by a Global Note,

(ii) the principal amount of the Note with respect to which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted, and

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(iii) the principal amount, if any, of such Note that remains subject to the original Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice, which portion must be in principal amounts of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000;

provided, however, that if the Notes are not in certificated form, the notice must comply with appropriate procedures of the Depositary.

Section 16.04. Deposit of Fundamental Change Repurchase Price.

(a) The Company will deposit with the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company, or if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 5.04) on or prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date an amount of money sufficient to repurchase all of the Notes to be repurchased at the appropriate Fundamental Change Repurchase Price. Subject to receipt of funds and/or Notes by the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company), payment for Notes surrendered for repurchase (and not withdrawn prior to the Fundamental Change Expiration Time) will be made on the later of (i) the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date with respect to such Note (provided the holder has satisfied the conditions in Section 16.02) and (ii) the time of book-entry transfer or the delivery of such Note to the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company) by the holder thereof in the manner required by Section 16.02 by mailing checks for the amount payable to the holders of such Notes entitled thereto as they shall appear in the Note Register, provided, however, that payments to the Depositary shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee. The Trustee shall, promptly after such payment and upon written demand by the Company, return to the Company any funds in excess of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price.

(b) If by 11:00 a.m. New York City time, on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company) holds money sufficient to make payment on all the Notes or portions thereof that are to be repurchased as a result of the corresponding Fundamental Change, then (i) such Notes will cease to be outstanding, (ii) interest, including Additional Interest, if any, will cease to accrue on such Notes, and (iii) all other rights of the holders of such Notes will terminate (other than the right to receive the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, and previously accrued but unpaid interest, including Additional Interest, if any, upon delivery of the Notes), whether or not book-entry transfer of the Notes has been made or the Notes have been delivered to the Trustee or Paying Agent.

(c) Upon surrender of a Note that is to be repurchased in part pursuant to Section 16.02, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the holder a new Note in an authorized denomination equal in principal amount to the unrepurchased portion of the Note surrendered.

ARTICLE 17

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 17.01. Provisions Binding on Company’s Successors. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements of the Company contained in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns whether so expressed or not.

Section 17.02. Official Acts by Successor Corporation. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board,

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committee or officer of any corporation or other entity that shall at the time be the lawful successor of the Company.

Section 17.03. Addresses for Notices, Etc. Any notice or demand that by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the Noteholders on the Company shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes if given or served by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box addressed (until another address is filed by the Company with the Trustee) to Sotheby’s, 1334 York Avenue, New York, New York 10021, Attention: Worldwide General Counsel with a copy to Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, 767 Fifth Ave., New York, New York 10153, Attention: Boris Dolgonos. Any notice, direction, request or demand hereunder to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or served by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box addressed to the Corporate Trust Office.

The Trustee, by notice to the Company, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

Any notice or communication mailed to a Noteholder shall be mailed to it by first class mail, postage prepaid, at its address as it appears on the Note Register and shall be sufficiently given to it if so mailed within the time prescribed.

Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Noteholder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Noteholders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice to holders by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

Section 17.04. Governing Law. THIS INDENTURE AND EACH NOTE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER THE LAWS OF NEW YORK, AND FOR ALL PURPOSES SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF NEW YORK (WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAWS PROVISIONS THEREOF).

Section 17.05. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent; Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to Trustee.

(a) Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

(i) an Officers’ Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

(ii) an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

(b) Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:

 

 

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(i) a statement that each person signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;

(ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statement or opinion contained in such certificate or opinion is based;

(iii) a statement that, in the opinion of each such person, the person has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable the person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(iv) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; provided, however, that, with respect to matters of fact, an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers’ Certificate or certificates of public officials.

Section 17.06. Legal Holidays. In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, Conversion Date or Maturity Date is not be a Business Day, then any action to be taken on such date need not be taken on such date, but may be taken on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if taken on such date, and no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such date.

Section 17.07. No Security Interest Created. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall be construed to constitute a security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar legislation, as now or hereafter enacted and in effect, in any jurisdiction.

Section 17.08. Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Paying Agent, any Conversion Agent, any authenticating agent, any Note Registrar and their successors hereunder or the Noteholders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 17.09. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. The table of contents and the titles and headings of the articles and sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 17.10. Authenticating Agent. The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent that shall be authorized to act on its behalf and subject to its direction in the authentication and delivery of Notes in connection with the original issuance thereof and transfers and exchanges of Notes hereunder, including under Section 2.05, Section 2.06, Section 2.07, Section 2.08, Section 11.04 and Section 16.04 as fully to all intents and purposes as though the authenticating agent had been expressly authorized by this Indenture and those Sections to authenticate and deliver Notes. For all purposes of this Indenture, the authentication and delivery of Notes by the authenticating agent shall be deemed to be authentication and delivery of such Notes “by the Trustee” and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an authenticating agent shall be deemed to satisfy any requirement hereunder or in the Notes for the Trustee’s certificate of authentication. Such authenticating agent shall at all times be a Person eligible to serve as trustee hereunder pursuant to Section 8.09.

Any corporation or other entity into which any authenticating agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or other entity resulting from any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any authenticating agent shall be a party, or any corporation or other entity succeeding to the corporate trust business of any authenticating agent, shall be the successor of the authenticating agent hereunder, if such successor corporation or other entity is otherwise eligi-

 

 

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ble under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto or the authenticating agent or such successor corporation or other entity.

Any authenticating agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of any authenticating agent by giving written notice of termination to such authenticating agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any authenticating agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor authenticating agent (which may be the Trustee), shall give written notice of such appointment to the Company and shall mail notice of such appointment to all Noteholders as the names and addresses of such holders appear on the Note Register.

The Company agrees to pay to the authenticating agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services although the Company may terminate the authenticating agent, if it determines such agent’s fees to be unreasonable.

The provisions of Section 8.02, Section 8.03, Section 8.04, Section 9.03 and this Section 17.11 shall be applicable to any authenticating agent.

If an authenticating agent is appointed pursuant to this Section, the Notes may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternative certificate of authentication in the following form:

 

_______________________________,
as Authenticating Agent, certifies that this is one of the Notes described in the within-named Indenture.
By:
Authorized Officer

Section 17.11. Execution in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 17.12. Severability. In the event any provision of this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then (to the extent permitted by law) the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.

Section 17.13. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 17.14. Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts that are consistent

 

 

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with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

 

				SOTHBEY’S, the Issuer
				By:
					Name:	William S. Sheridan
					Title:	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

			GUARANTORS:
			SOTHEBY’S, INC.
			SOTHEBYS.COM LLC
			SOTHEBY’S FINE ART HOLDINGS, INC.
			SOTHEBY’S FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
			SOTHEBY’S FINANCIAL SERVICES CALIFORNIA, INC.
			OBERON, INC.
			THETA, INC.
			SOTHEBY’S VENTURES, LLC
			SOTHEBY’S ASIA, INC.
			YORK WAREHOUSE, INC.
			SPTC, INC.
			SOTHEBY’S PARKE BERNET INC.
			YORK AVENUE DEVELOPMENT, INC
			SOTHEBY’S THAILAND, INC.
			SOTHEBY’S HOLDINGS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
			SOTHEBY’S NEVADA, INC.
			SOTHEBYS.COM AUCTIONS, INC.
			SIBS, LLC.
			SOTHEBY’S RES, INC.

 

				By:
					Name:	William S. Sheridan
					Title:

 

				SUNRISE LIQUORS & WINES, INC.
				By:
					Name:
					Title:

 

[CONVERTIBLE NOTES INDENTURE]

 

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				U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
				By:
					Name:	Raymond S. Haverstock
					Title:	Vice President

 

[CONVERTIBLE NOTES INDENTURE]

 

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EXHIBIT A

[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

[UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]

THE SALE OF THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND ACCORDINGLY, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER AGREES (1) THAT IT WILL NOT WITHIN THE LATER OF (X) ONE YEAR AFTER THE LAST DATE OF ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF NOTES (INCLUDING THROUGH THE EXERCISE OF THE OPTION TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL NOTES) AND (Y) 90 DAYS AFTER IT CEASES TO BE AN AFFILIATE (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF SOTHEBY’S, (THE “COMPANY”), OFFER, RESELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY OR THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF SUCH NOTES, EXCEPT (A) TO THE COMPANY; (B) UNDER A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT; (C) TO A PERSON THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) THAT IS PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF ANOTHER QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER AND TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, ALL IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A (IF AVAILABLE); OR (D) UNDER ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT; AND (2) THAT IT WILL, PRIOR TO ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE WITHIN THE LATER OF (X) SIX MONTHS (OR, IF THE COMPANY HAS NOT SATISFIED THE CURRENT PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144, ONE YEAR) AFTER THE LAST DATE OF ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF NOTES (INCLUDING THROUGH THE EXERCISE OF THE OPTION TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL NOTES) AND (Y) 90 DAYS AFTER IT CEASES TO BE AN AFFILIATE (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144 ADOPTED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF THE COMPANY, FURNISH TO THE TRUSTEE AND THE COMPANY SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS THEY MAY REQUIRE AND MAY RELY UPON TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. IN ANY EVENT, NO AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY MAY RESELL THIS NOTE OTHER THAN IN CONFORMITY WITH RULE 144 BEFORE ONE YEAR AFTER THE LAST DATE OF ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF NOTES (INCLUDING THROUGH THE EXERCISE OF THE OPTION TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL NOTES).

 

 

A-1

 

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SOTHEBY’S

3.125% Convertible Senior Note due 2013

 

No. [_____]

$[          ]

CUSIP No. 835898AB3

Sotheby’s, a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the “Company,” which term includes any successor corporation or other entity under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received hereby promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or registered assigns, the principal sum of [          ] Dollars, $[          ] (which amount may from time to time be increased or decreased to such other principal amounts (which, taken together with the principal amounts of all other outstanding Notes, shall not, unless permitted by the Indenture, exceed $[          ] in aggregate at any time by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee or the Custodian of the Depositary as set forth in Schedule A hereto, in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary) on June 15, 2013.

This Note shall bear interest at the rate of 3.125% per year (subject to increase pursuant to Sections 5.06(d) and 7.03 of the Indenture) from June 17, 2008, or from the most recent date to which interest had been paid or provided for to, but excluding, the next scheduled Interest Payment Date until June 15, 2013. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on each June 15 and December 15, commencing [          ], 2008, to holders of record at the close of business on the preceding June 1 and December 1 (whether or not such day is a Business Day), respectively.

Payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on this Note shall be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, in such lawful money of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that any payment to the Depositary or its nominee shall be paid by wire transfer in immediately available funds in accordance with the wire transfer instruction supplied by the Depositary or its nominee from time to time to the Trustee and Paying Agent (if different from Trustee).

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, including, without limitation, provisions giving the holder of this Note the right to convert this Note into cash, shares of Common Stock of the Company or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, as applicable, on the terms and subject to the limitations set forth in the Indenture. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

This Note shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of said State (without regard to the conflicts of laws provisions thereof).

This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been manually signed by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent under the Indenture.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be duly executed.

 

		SOTHEBY’S
		By:
			Name:
			Title:

 

Dated:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Notes described

in the within-named Indenture.

 

By:
	Authorized Officer

 

 

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[FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]

SOTHEBY’S

3.125% Convertible Senior Note due 2013

This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Notes of the Company, designated as its 3.125% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 (herein called the “Notes”), limited to the aggregate principal amount of $[                  ] all issued or to be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of June 17, 2008 (herein called the “Indenture”), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association (herein called the “Trustee”), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the Notes. Additional Notes may be issued in an unlimited aggregate principal amount, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture.

In case an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, including Additional Interest, if any, on all Notes may be declared, by either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, and upon said declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions and certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Indenture, the Company will make all payments and deliveries in respect of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price and the principal amount on the Maturity Date, as the case may be, to the holder who surrenders a Note to a Paying Agent to collect such payments in respect of the Note. The Company will pay cash amounts in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee in certain circumstances, without the consent of the holders of the Notes, and in other circumstances, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, evidenced as in the Indenture provided, to execute supplemental indentures modifying the terms of the Indenture and the Notes as described therein. It is also provided in the Indenture that, subject to certain exceptions, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all of the Notes waive any past Default or Event of Default under the Indenture and its consequences.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, and Additional Interest, if any, on this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the lawful money herein prescribed.

The Notes are issuable in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 principal amount and integral multiples thereof. At the office or agency of the Company referred to on the face hereof, and in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, Notes may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations, without payment of any service charge but, if required by the Company or Trustee, with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessments or other governmental charges that may be imposed in connection therewith as a result of the name of the holder of the new Notes issued upon such exchange of Notes being different from the name of the holder of the old Notes surrendered for such exchange.

The Notes are not subject to redemption through the operation of any sinking fund or otherwise.

 

 

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Upon the occurrence of a Fundamental Change, the holder has the right, at such holder’s option, to require the Company to repurchase for cash all of such holder’s Notes or any portion thereof (in principal amounts of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof) on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date at a price equal to the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price.

Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the holder hereof has the right, at its option, during certain periods and upon the occurrence of certain conditions specified in the Indenture, prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, to convert any Notes or portion thereof that is $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof, into cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, as applicable, at a Conversion Rate specified in the Indenture, as adjusted from time to time as provided in the Indenture.

Terms used in this Note and defined in the Indenture are used herein as therein defined.

 

 

A-5

 

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ABBREVIATIONS

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription of the face of this Note, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM -as tenants in common			UNIF GIFT MIN ACT
				Custodian
			(Cust)
TEN ENT -as tenants by the entireties
			(Minor)
JT TEN-as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common			Uniform Gifts to Minors Act
				(State)

Additional abbreviations may also be used

though not in the above list.

 

 

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SCHEDULE A

SOTHEBY’S

3.125% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013

The initial principal amount of this Global Note is $[                    ]. The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of Exchange		Amount of decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note		Amount of increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note		Principal Amount of this Global Note following such decrease or increase		Signature of authorized signatory of Trustee or Custodian

 

 

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EXHIBIT B

[FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION]

To: SOTHEBY’S

The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby exercises the option to convert this Note, or the portion hereof (that is $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple thereof) below designated, into cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, as applicable, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture referred to in this Note, and directs that any shares of Common Stock issuable and deliverable upon such conversion, together with any cash comprising the Daily Conversion Values or a portion of the Daily Settlement Amounts for each of the thirty Trading Days during the Cash Settlement Averaging Period and for any fractional shares, and any Notes representing any unconverted principal amount hereof, be issued and delivered to the registered holder hereof unless a different name has been indicated below. If any shares of Common Stock or any portion of this Note not converted are to be issued in the name of a Person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto. Any amount required to be paid to the undersigned on account of interest accompanies this Note.

 

Dated:	______________________		___________________________
			___________________________
			Signature(s)

 

___________________________
Signature Guarantee
Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an eligible Guarantor Institution (banks, stock brokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions) with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 17Ad-15 if shares of Common Stock are to be issued, or Notes to be delivered, other than to and in the name of the registered holder.

 

 

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Fill in for registration of shares if to be issued, and Notes if to be delivered, other than to and in the name of the registered holder:
___________________________
(Name)
___________________________
(Street Address)
___________________________
(City, State and Zip Code) Please print name and address
		Principal amount to be converted (if less than all): $_____,000
		NOTICE: The above signature(s) of the holder(s) hereof must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.
		_____________________________________________
		Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number

 

 

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EXHIBIT C

[FORM OF FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE REPURCHASE NOTICE]

To: SOTHEBY’S

The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby acknowledges receipt of a notice from Sotheby’s (the “Company”) as to the occurrence of a Fundamental Change with respect to the Company and specifying the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date and requests and instructs the Company to repay to the registered holder hereof in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture referred to in this Note (1) the entire principal amount of this Note, or the portion thereof (that is $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple thereof) below designated, and (2) if such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date does not fall during the period after an Interest Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date, accrued and unpaid interest, including Additional Interest, if any, thereon to, but excluding, such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date.

In the case of certificated Notes, the certificate numbers of the Notes to be repurchased are as set forth below:

 

Dated:

________________

 

Signature(s)

Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number

Principal amount to be repaid (if less than all): $____,000

NOTICE: The above signature(s) of the holder(s) hereof must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

 

 

C-1

 

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EXHIBIT D

[FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER]

For value received ____________________________ hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto _________________ (Please insert social security or Taxpayer Identification Number of assignee) the within Note, and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints _____________________ attorney to transfer the said Note on the books of the Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.

In connection with any transfer of the within Note occurring prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date, as defined in the Indenture governing such Note, the undersigned confirms that such Note is being transferred:

o	To Sotheby’s or a subsidiary thereof; or

o	Pursuant to the registration statement that has become or been declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or

o	Pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or

o	Pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or

o	Pursuant to another available exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

 

D-1

 

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Dated:
Signature(s)
Signature Guarantee
Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an eligible Guarantor Institution (banks, stock brokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions) with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 17Ad-15 Notes are to be delivered, other than to and in the name of the registered holder.

NOTICE: The signature on the assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

 

 

D-2

 

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