For an entire year auction houses have been pursing consignments and collections, feeling out consignors on reserves and estimates, and parsing lots all in preparation for the culmination of the fall auction season.  It is here, in the shortening days of November that auction houses learn if their work will pay off.  This year, more than most, is difficult what with the weak economy, an aging primary audience and an intensifying transparency that is affecting every aspect of collectibles.  It has been a somewhat difficult year but overall not a bad one.  With six weeks to go we are rounding the final stretch and heading for the finish line.

For the week twenty-two sales were archived; five each in Dollars and British Pounds and twelve in Euros.  Ten thousand four hundred and twenty-four lots were offered and 7,367 sold for a 71% success rate.  The total turnover was a robust $20.4 million against an aggregate high estimate of $25.4 million.

Eight auctions reached or exceeded 100% of their aggregate high estimates:

Osenat.  Gantner’s Books on November 13^th:  165%

Ader.  Photographs on November 14^th:  125%

Leslie Hindman.  Fine Books and Manuscripts on November 15^th 115%

Zisska & Schauer.  Books on November 9^th:  111%

Rasmussen.  Books and Maps on November 13^th:  110%

Artcurial Briest-Le Fur-Poulain-F. Tajan.  Books and Manuscripts on November 14^th:  106%

Gonnelli Casa d’Aste.  Autographs on November 11^th:  101%

Christie’s.  Photographs, Books on November 12^th:  100%

Seven events reached or exceeded $1 million in sales:

Sotheby’s.  Travel, Atlases and Maps on November 15^th:  $3,487,923

Zisska & Schauer.  Books on November 9^th:  $2,934,887

Christie’s.  Manuscripts and American Art on November 15^th:  $2,771,693

Christie’s.  Photographs, Books on November 12^th:  $2,322,804

Gonelli Casa d’Aste.  Manuscripts and Autographs on November 11^th:  $1,504,208

Skinner’s.  Fine Books and Manuscripts on November 13^th:  $1,276,460

Artcurial Briest-Le Fur-Poulain-F. Tajan.  Books and Manuscripts on November 14^th:  $1,199,008

For the week ahead 14 sales are scheduled:

November 21^st Ketterer Kunst / F. Doerling.  Rare Books (385)

                                    Australian Book Auctions.  Books (57) on Monday November 21^st

November 22^nd Bonhams.  Books, Maps, Manuscripts and Historical Photographs (18992)

                                    Ketterer Kunst / F. Doerling.  Rare Books (385)

                                    Australian Book Auctions.  Books (57)

November 23^rd          Christie’s.  Books (8002)

                                    Ader.  Books ancient et modern – Architecture – Manuscripts (17507)

                                    Piasa.  Ancient and Modern Prints (17189)

November 24^th          Galerie Bassenge.  Prints (98e)

November 25^th          Galerie Bassenge.  Prints (98e)

                                    The Romantique Agony Book and Print Auctions.  Books (46)

November 26^th          Galerie Bassenge.  Prints (98e)

                                    The Romantique Agony Book and Print Auctions.  Books (46)

                                    Artcurial Briest-Le Fur-Poulain-F. Tajan.  Comic Strips – Herge’s Universe (1956)

Bruce McKinney

AE

November 20^th, 2011