Perspective on August

- by Bruce E. McKinney

PBA. Aug. 16. Lot 15. Autographs of the American 1929 Ryder Cup team. Est: $1000-1500

August was once the quietest month in the auction business but a look at this year’s auction calendar tells us that scheduled events are increasing.  To this point we have 34 events posted, up from 26 in 2011 and 12 in 2010.  There are many contributing factors for the increase but it probably most comes down to busier schedules.

The following are our statistics for August for the past eight years.  The first chart shows the number of auctions and lots by year – 2005 to the present.  The second shows that August is not a fluke.  The total of all auctions for the January-May period has also seen a substantial increase.









Auctions in August 2005 to the Present

Year    # of Sales        # of Lots

2005               6                      2,529

2006               14                   3,898

2007               12                   3,767

2008               21                   3,746

2009               20                   5,663

2010               12                   3,824

2011               26                   5,213

2012               34


The second set of data shows that August is not a fluke.  The total of all auctions for the January-May period has also seen a substantial increase.

Total Auctions Covered during the January – May period 2005 to the present

2005                                       121

2006                                       186

2007                                       190

2008                                       206

2009                                       180

2010                                       182

2011                                       271

2012                                       354



This trend seems certain to continue.