For the week ended Saturday February 14^th 22 auctions were archived to the Rare Book Transaction History database; 4 in euros, 1 in British pounds, and 17 in US dollars.  Turnover was $6,310,815 as 3,708 lots were offered and 3,110 sold for an 84% success rate.  Bonhams’ Important Western Americana sale was the runaway best realizing $1,837,498, 17% above the aggregate high estimate.  When the material is very good the outcomes usually are as well.

2 auctions saw their total proceeds reach a million dollars: 

Bonhams. Important Western Americana on February 9th: $1,837,498
Heritage Auctions. Art of Laika Studios on February 12th: $1,030,008

4 auctions saw total sales exceed 100% of the high estimates of all lots offered in the sale:

Michaans Auctions. Estate Auction on February 7th: 250.75%
Sothebys. Collections of the Dukes of Mortemart Castle's Eve on February 11th: 248.25%
Winter Associates. February Auction - Prints on February 10th: 121.03%
Bonhams. Important Western Americana on February 9th: 117.35%


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

Alaska Auction. February 7th Auction - Prints on February 7th: 100.00%
James D Julia Auctioneers. Fine Art, Asian and Antiques - Decorative Prints - Day 3 on February 6th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Comics - Internet bidstart 2/1 on February 8th: 99.54%
Heritage Auctions. Art of Laika Studios on February 12th: 95.67%
Heritage Auctions. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 2/1 on February 8th: 94.98%
Doyle New York. Doyle at Home: Decorative Prints on February 10th: 92.31%
Heritage Auctions. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 2/5 on February 12th: 89.98%
Christies. Prints and Multiples on February 12th: 89.83%
Bonhams. Important Western Americana on February 9th: 89.40%
Winter Associates. February Auction - Prints on February 10th: 88.00%
Bruun Rasmussen. Modern and Contemporary Prints on February 10th: 82.89%
Sothebys. Collections of the Dukes of Mortemart Castle's Eve on February 11th: 81.48%


22 total sales reported this week:

Swann Galleries. Vintage Posters on February 12th: 67.95%
Christies. Prints and Multiples on February 12th: 89.83%
Heritage Auctions. Art of Laika Studios on February 12th: 95.67%
Heritage Auctions. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 2/5 on February 12th: 89.98%
Bloomsbury Auctions. Bibliophile on February 12th: 74.16%
Sothebys. Collections of the Dukes of Mortemart Castle's Eve on February 11th: 81.48%
Doyle New York. Doyle at Home: Decorative Prints on February 10th: 92.31%
Winter Associates. February Auction - Prints on February 10th: 88.00%
Bruun Rasmussen. Modern and Contemporary Prints on February 10th: 82.89%
Bruun Rasmussen. Old Master Prints on February 9th: 40.00%
Bonhams. Important Western Americana on February 9th: 89.40%
Alaska Auction. February 7th Auction - Prints on February 7th: 100.00%
Artcurial. Automobilia on February 6th: 68.52%
James D Julia Auctioneers. Fine Art, Asian and Antiques - Decorative Prints - Day 3 on February 6th: 100.00%
James D Julia Auctioneers. Fine Art, Asian and Antiques - Decorative Prints - Day 2 on February 5th: 77.91%
James D Julia Auctioneers. Fine Art, Asian and Antiques - Decorative Prints - Day 1 on February 4th: 65.96%
Michaans Auctions. Estate Auction on February 7th: 66.67%
Grays Auctioneers. Post War and Contemporary - Prints on November 5th: 63.77%
Grays Auctioneers. Modern Prints on January 28th: 67.44%
PBA Galleries. Rare Books and Manuscripts on February 8th: 72.45%
Heritage Auctions. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 2/1 on February 8th: 94.98%
Heritage Auctions. Comics - Internet bidstart 2/1 on February 8th: 99.54%

For the week ahead 20 sales are scheduled:

Mon. Feb. 16th
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Old Master Prints. 3 lots

Tue. Feb. 17th
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Modern and Contemporary Prints. 20 lots

Wed. Feb. 18th
Grays Auctioneers. Cleveland, . Books and Prints. 43 lots
Old World Auctions. Glen Allen. Maps. 804 lots
Ader. PARIS. Lilique - Graphic Arts - 20th Side. 38 lots

Thu. Feb. 19th
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 2/12. 428 lots
Heritage Auctions. New York. Comics and Comic Art. 1134 lots
PBA Galleries. San Francisco. The Pamela Harer Collection of Rare & Antiquarian Children's Books, Part II. 600 lots
Swann Galleries. New York. Fine Photographs. 172 lots
RR Auction. Amherst. Remarkable Rarities - bidstart 2/12. 127 lots

Fri. Feb. 20th
Cowans Auctions. Cincinnati. Fine Arts: Prints. 22 lots
ALDE. Paris. Antiquarian and Travel Books. 318 lots

Sat. Feb. 21st
Aspire Auctions. Cleveland. Printed Art - Internet bidstart 2/13. 115 lots
Clars Auction Gallery. Oakland. Prints and Photographs. 67 lots
Stair Auctioneers and Appraisers. Hudson. Prints, Works on Paper. 29 lots

Sun. Feb. 22nd
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Comics - Internet bidstart 2/15.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 2/15.
Bonhams. Los Angeles. Art and Decor - Prints. 62 lots
National Book Auctions. Ithaca. Books.
Clars Auction Gallery. Oakland. Prints and Photographs, Day 2.

It's shaping up as a strong season.

Bruce McKinney