For the week ending Saturday October 6^th, 2012 16 auctions were archived to the AED; 1 in euros, 7 in British pounds, and 8 in US dollars.  Turnover was a robust $24,495,995, 79% of the high estimate of all lots offered:  $30,929,914.

Christie's carried the heavy freight this week with five sales; 3 in London and 2 in New York.  Their turnover alone was $11,757,737.  Sotheby’s with a single sale of photographs in New York raised $4,488,253.

For the week 8 sales reached the $1.0 million level:

Christie's.  Photographs on October 4^th in New York:  $6,254,500

Sotheby’s.  Photographs on October 3^rd in New York:  $4,488,253

Swann Galleries.  Fine Photographs & Photo Books on October 4th:  $2,711,628

Christie's.  Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds on October 4^th in London:  $1,757,920

Bonhams.  Early Printing and English Books in London on October 2^nd:  $1,732,545

Christie's.  Posters with a Purpose:  The London Transport Museum Sale in London on October 4^th:  $1,656,578

Christie's.  Richard Avedon Photographs on October 4^th in New York:  $1,517,250

RR Auction.  Old West, Gangsters, Mobsters on September 30^th:  $1,479,822

Six sales reached or exceeded 100% of their aggregate high estimates:

Lyon and Turnbull.  International Sale:  Prints on October 3^rd:  100%

Bonhams.  Early Printing and English Books in London on October 2^nd:  168% 

Christie's.  Arts of Islam in London on October 5^th:  164%

Christie's.  Posters with a Purpose:  The London Transport Museum Sale in London on October 4^th:  146%

Swann Galleries.  Printed & Manuscript Americana on October 2^nd:  129%

Bruun Rasmussen.  Books on October 1^st:  118%

Nine sales saw at least 80% of their lots sell:

Lyon and Turnbull.  International Sale:  Prints:  100%

National Book Auctions.  Books and Ephemera – Art, Bronzes, Maps, Glass, etc.:  99.7%

Bonhams.  Early Printing and English Books in London on October 2^nd:  96.14%

RR Auction.  Old West, Gangsters, Mobsters:  95.56%

Bruun Rasmussen.  Books on October 1^st:  92.07%

Swann Galleries.  Printed & Manuscript Americana:  92.05%

Bloomsbury Auctions.  Red China on October 4^th:  90.31%

Christie's.  Arts of Islam in London on October 5^th:  83.33%

Heritage Auctions.  Rare Books internet bidding ended October 4^th:  80.68%

For the week ahead 15 sales are scheduled:

Mon.  Oct. 8^th        Alde.  Library First Editions.  [19718].  304 lots

Tues.  Oct. 9^th             Christie’s.  Travel, Science, and Natural History.  [6911].  193 lots

                                    Rupert Toovey and Co.  Antiquarian and Collectors Books.  [1076].  201 lots

Wed.  Oct. 10^th           Bonhams.  Fine Books and Manuscripts.  [20048].  422 lots

                                    Christie’s.  Rendez-vous:  Contemporary Interiors.  [3541].  53 lots

                                    Dominic Winter Book Auctions.  Printed Books, Maps and Documents.  [101012].  732 lots

                                    Doyle New York.  Doyle @ Home:  Prints.  [101012].  21 lots

                                    Rupert Toovey and Co.  Prints.  [1075].  51 lots

Thurs.  Oct. 11^th         Dominic Winter.  Sporting and Natural History, Vintage and Contemporary Photography.  [101112].  76 lots

                                    Freeman’s [Samuel T. Freeman & Co.].  Prints.  [1442].  13 lots

                                    Heritage Auctions.  Rare Books internet auction ending October 11^th [201241].  455 lots 

                                    PBA Galleries.  Fine Literature with Books in all Fields.  [490].  368 lots

                                    Swann Galleries.  Art, Press & Illustrated Books.  [2289].  367 lots

Fri. Oct. 12^th               Ader.  Shunga – Erotic Prints [20060].  286 lots

Sat. Oct. 13^th               Heritage Auctions [HA.com].  Illustration Art.  [5111].  726 lots

The market is on display in the rooms and the descriptive term capturing the spirit:  strength.

Bruce McKinney

AE

October 7^th, 2012