The news this week isn't the sales just reported. They are the regular mix of events that have for decades negotiated the uncertainties of August. This past week National Book upped the ante of its own game with a higher value sale that saw, as is their wont, everything that wasn't nailed to the floor, sell. They certainly make it easy on the sweepers because, except for chairs and empty soda cans everything else is gone. They have been doing this for awhile and doing it well.

In Mexico Louis C. Morton continues to hold their own. The sell-through percentages are down a bit, 59% of all material sold this past week but it's actually a very main stream performance. The auction field is fighting to establish a new balance between seller and buyer expectations.

Gray's Auctioneers had a tough outing recently. We see it from time to time - high overall estimates and low realizations. Sales amounted to only about 10% of the high estimate. It will get better. They do a good job.

The interesting story this week is an auction that is going to take place in Worcester, Massachusetts and running from Thursday to Sunday. It's the personal effects of ten generations of descendents of Thomas Green [born 1640]. Of principal importance are the papers and books of Andrew Haswell Green who invested much of his adult life in improving New York City. Fortunately for auction browsers today the family never threw anything away. They acquired and received and later packed away books, mementos, correspondence and photographs and in so doing created a time capsule that is being opened this week. They of course kept every other thing too. Hence the other five sections of the sale.

Their debris in the works on paper field is substantial and worth sundering for the obscure and the mint. The pedigree is superb and the collecting instincts of the family worthy of the Collier brothers. The sale is divided into six sessions over four days:

Session I: Toys, Dolls and Games;

Session II: Andrew H. Green Tiffany glass & silver; and other decorative items;

Session III: Green Family Vintage Clothing Collection, jewelry, paisleys & linens;

Session IV: Andrew H. Green Ephemera;

Session V: Stamps, Coins, Paper Money;

Session VI: Paintings, Antiques and General Estate

The 4th session will be of interest to those with an eye for books, maps and ephemera. Here is a link to the material. This session will start at 10:00 am on Saturday September 11th. Note that downloading the files with images will take a minute or two for each. For some this sale will reorient weekend plans. It should be fun.

The sale is being held at the Grand Ballroom at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts at 50 Foster Street, exit 16 off Interstate 290. On AE in the upcoming auctions we are posting the relevant lots. On the R. W. Oliver site you can see all 2,300 lots.

Bruce McKinney

AE