The fall season concluded with bidders traveling electronically to Missouri for the final documented sale in the books, manuscripts and ephemera field - the destination Dirk Soulis Auctions. Bidders looked right past the low reserves. We have also included in this notice the Profiles in History sale on December 16th.

In Missouri one hundred and fifty-nine lots were offered and all sold. The combined low estimate was $30,300 and the high $69,900. These items earned $56,228.80, the results additional evidence that interesting material attracts bids from the far corners. The only question was whether December 29th would be a problem but it seems to have been fine. In December the final sales have usually wrapped up by the 20th.

Profiles in History's sale on December 16th did well. Important children's books raised $542,254, about midway between the low and high estimates. Only 60% of the material changed hands.

Two thousand and ten will prove to be the most important auction year in decades. Material is poised to come out, clarity breaking through intermittently. For the market to recover collectors need to find restored confidence. For this to happen the market will need to stabilize at a reasonable discount to the peak in 2007. It will happen but it will be unpleasant for some, an opportunity for others.

Best wishes for the new year.

Bruce McKinney
AE

January 3, 2010