Auction Update Review
Week 1, Spring 2010, One Auction Archived through January 9, 2010
A single sale was archived during the first week of 2010. It was conducted by Pacific Book Auctions of San Francisco on January 7th. As has been the case with their sales during 2009 they continue to struggle to find the right balance of material, estimates and bidders. In this sale PBA offered 168 lots and sold 112 raising $111,198 against a low estimate of $106,600. They make a serious effort and warrant support.
Looking into the future, the auction calendars have begun to fill. For the moment the pace of scheduling is a pitter-patter that becomes a drumbeat by March. Today its quiet but no doubt the market place will be strained this year by collectors and institutions looking to dealers for price adjustments that reflect the lower prices being realized in the auction rooms.
Bruce McKinney
AE
January 10, 2010