Swann, in New York, has recently been on a roll and the evidence suggests it’s going to continue.  Christie’s and Sotheby’s decisions to pursue higher value material has opened a solid space in the upper middle for Swann to assert its strength.  They are not alone of course.  Bonhams has strongly established itself and Heritage is building a position in New York.  This coming week they are expected to announce they will be handling an important multi-part sale beginning later this year.

So its not surprising that Swann walked off with the top prize with the only sale reaching the million-dollar level this week.  It was a sale of Fine Photographs that saw 74% of the lots sell for 88% of the aggregate high estimate.  Their total was $1,000,134.

In Europe Bonhams realized $931,507 on the 22^nd for their selection of Books, Maps, Manuscripts and Historical Photographs.  Romantic Agony, in two sales on the 18^th and 19^th realized $424,757 and $773,365.  Dorotheum, for two sales on the 14^th and 16th, realized $486,165.

There is noticeable interest in selling or consigning.  We seem to be in the midst of a shift.

Bruce McKinney
AE