Auction Update Review
It's Reigning Books
For the week ending Saturday June
16th 25 auctions were archived; 6 in British pounds, 9 in US$ and 10
in euros. Nine thousand three hundred
and eighty-nine lots were offered and 6,158 lots sold. Sixty-six percent of all lots offered sold,
85% of the dollar denominated and 61% of pound and euro lots. Europe has been taking it on the chin, caught
between national sovereignty and the need for continent-wide economic
policy. Bookmakers though, looking at
book dealers and the auction houses, may want to shorten their odds on
intensifying union. The market is a
little beaten-up but clearly looking past the current uncertainty. I’ll bid at auction this week in support of
the field and encourage you, if the material is appealing, to do the same. Uncertain moments create opportunities.
Total sales for the 66% of lots
that sold were $16,493,648, 83% of the total of the high estimates for all lots
offered. A number at or above 100% of
the high estimates suggests a very strong market while a percentage below 70%
suggests weakness. Eighty-three percent
is mid way.
The following sales reached or
exceeded 100% of the total of their high estimates:
Dorotheum. Autographs on May 31st: 199%
Heritage. Legends of the West on June 10th: 169%
Piasa. Prints on June 7th: 105%
Christie’s. Books on June 13th: 100%
The following sales reached or
exceeded a million dollars:
Christie’s. Books on June 13th: $4,986,458
Sotheby’s. Fine Books and Manuscripts on June 15th: $2,651,692
Heritage. Legends of the West on June 10th: $2,143,788
Bonhams. Manuscripts and Historical Photos on June 12th: $1,799,602
Galeria Bessenge. Prints on May 31st: $1,132,323
The following sales saw 80% or more
of the lots offered sell:
Carlsen Gallery. Books of English Architecture and
Antiquities: 100%
National Book Auctions. Books and Ephemera - Champney, Modern 1sts,
Nautical, etc: 100%
Heritage. Rare Books – Internet auction ended June 14th: 87%
Heritage. Legends of the West on June 10th: 87%
Bloomsbury. Bibliophile on June 8th: 86%
Freeman’s. Books, Manuscripts and Ephemera on May 31st: 85%
Bonhams. Manuscripts
and Historical Photos on June 12th:
81%
Christie’s. Books on June 13th: 80%
For the week ahead 18 auctions are
scheduled:
Tuesday June 19th Bonhams. Fine Books and Manuscripts, including Russian Literature [20009]. 436 lots
Henri Godts Books & Prints Auctions. Books from the 16th to the 20th Century [18145]. 431 lots
Wed. June 20th Bonhams. The Gentleman’s Library [19598]. 526 lots
Dominic
Winter Book Auctions. Printed Books,
Maps and Documents [S328]. 725 lots
Dorotheum. Books and Decorative Prints [9464]. 473 lots.
Thurs. June 21st Bonhams. Sporting Sale
[20221]. 75 lots
Cowan’s
Auctions. American History [261]. 349 lots.
Dominic
Winter. Children’s & Illustrated
Books, Antique Toys & Games [62112].
Heritage
Auctions. Rare Books – Internet bidstart
6/14 [201225]. 434 lots.
PBA
Galleries. Rare Books and Manuscripts,
with Children’s Books [482]. 354 lots.
Swann
Galleries. 19th & 20th
Century Literature [2282]. 323 lots.
Friday June 22nd Christie’s. Books and Manuscripts [2572]. 292 Lots.
Christie’s. George Washiongton’s Personal Copy of Acts
Passed at a Congress [2761] 1 lot
Ferraton. Antiquarian and Modern Books [2384].
Galerie
Koller. Modern Prints [Z32]. 140 lots
Saturday June 23rd Ferraton.
Antiquarian and Modern Books continued [2384].
Sunday June 24th National Book Auctions. Books and Ephemera – Geology, Paleontology,
Signatures, etc. [06242012]
Sales are continuing at a
strong pace.
Bruce McKinney
AE
Sunday June 17th, 2012