Auction Update Review
The Auctions in High Cotton
Heading into the holidays auction
houses around the world are completing their final sales ahead of the winter
solstice. This week twenty-three sales
were archived: thirteen in Euros, five
each in British Pounds and US dollars.
Total turnover was a respectable $11,094,596 or 89% against an aggregate
high estimate of $12,521,567 – a strong if not stellar performance given this
is the crescendo of the season.
December, when auction realizations often explode, sets the table for the spring
session and the year ahead. This year the auction houses have labored under the twin constraints of international financial
uncertainty and the ever-closer drumbeat of retiring dealers who are slowing their buying and sooner or later, will be consigning to the rooms.
For the week 14,562 lots were
offered and 10,152 sold for a 70% success rate.
The following sales reached or
exceeded 100% of their aggregate high estimates.
Piasa. Autographs on December 6th: 168%
Piasa. Modern Prints – Henri M. Petiet Prints and
Manuscripts on December 8th: 128%
Ferraton. Books, Manuscripts and Books on December 2nd: 119%
Osenat. The French Empire in Fontainbleau on December
4th: 113%
Keys Fine Arts. Books Day 2 on December 2nd: 107%
Three sales had turnover of more
than a million dollars:
Sotheby’s. Western and Oriental Manuscripts on December
6th: $1,548,039
Christie’s. Prints on December 7th: $1,138,375
Artcurial Briest-Le Fur-Poulain-F.
Tajan. Prints and Illustrated Books on
December 6th: $1,021,614
The following sales are scheduled
over the next nine days:
December 12th Alde.
Library of Amateur from Lyon (17899)
December 13th Ader.
Autographs et Manuscripts (11571)
Alde. Ancient and Modern Books (17320)
Mealy’s
Auctioneers. Important Irish &
English Literature, Manuscripts & Maps (121311)
Sotheby’s. Fine Books and Manuscripts (N08811)
Swann
Galleries. Important Photobooks &
Photographs (2265)
December 14th Bloomsbury Auctions. Books, Autographs and Prints (ROMA-68)
Bloomsbury
Auctions. Books, Manuscript, Maps and Works
on Paper (35863)
Bonhams. Entertainment Memorabilia including Animation
Art (19431)
Dominic
Winter Book Auctions. Books and Maps
(12142011)
Mealy’s
Auctioneers. Important Irish &
English Literature, Manuscripts & Maps (121311)
December 15th Alde.
Autograph letters and Manuscripts, Music (17321)
Bonhams. Fine Books and Manuscripts (19427)
Dominic
Winter. Children’s Winter Book Auctions
(12152011)
PBA
Galleries. Americana – Travel –
Cartography (469)
Profiles
in History. Icons of Hollywood (121511)
Sotheby’s. English Literature, History, Children’s Books
(NO8812)
Swann
Galleries. The Complete Poster Works of
Roger Broders (2266)
December 16th Christie’s. The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor: Fine and Decorative Art & Film
Memorabilia, including costumes (2634)
Profiles
in History. Icons of Hollywood (121511)
December 17th Christie’s. The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor: [online auction) (23616)
Profiles
in History. Icons of Hollywood (121511)
December 19th Christie’s. Photographs (2495)
Christie’s. Photographs (2524)
December 21st Dorotheum. Books
and Decorative Prints (12111)
Best wishes,
Bruce McKinney
AE