This past week thirteen sales were archived, seven denominated in dollars, two in British Pounds, four in Euros.  The turnover was robust:  $22,993,080 against an aggregate high estimate of $26,235,703.  Three thousand eight hundred and twenty three lots were offered and 2,920 sold for a 76% success rate.  The strength of the book market however is over stated in these numbers because Sotheby’s and Christies together raised $16.5 million in their robust New York print sales.  Swann and Bonham’s added another $1.7 and $1.6 million to the print totals.   This past week was all about images.

Bonham’s held its annual Space History sale in New York and raised $590,263 and Swann sold $385,993 of posters on May 5^th.

For the week just past the following houses reached or exceeded 100% of their aggregate high estimates:

Tajan:  Archeology – Tribal Art – 136%

Bonhams:  The Space History Sale – 107%

Sotheby’s:  Prints – 102%

Piasa:  Ancient and Modern Books – 101%

Together all the archived sales achieved 88% of their aggregate high estimates.

For the coming week  the following sales will be underway, if not yet complete.

Artcurial Briest-Le Fur Poulain-F. Tajan:  May 9 and 10;

Neret – Minet  Tessier:  May 9;

Bonhams:  Photography on May 10^th;

Burgerdijk & Niermans:  Books, Prints on May 10 and 11;

Paige Auction:  Sports on May 10;

Sotheby’s:  Books and Manuscripts on May 10;

Sotheby’s:  Heinz Hajek-Halk photographs on May 10^th;

Sotheby’s:  Photographs on May 10;

Christie’s:  Important Livres Anciens, Livres d’Artistes et Manuscrits on May 11;

Christie’s:  Collection Michel Wittock on May 11;

Dominic Winter Book Auctions:  Printed Books & Maps, African & General Travel, Natural History, Historical Docs., Stamps, Antiquarian … on May 11;

Bloomsbury:  Continental English Literature and Manuscripts on May 12;

Christie’s:  Vintage Posters on May 12;

Dominic Winter Book Auctions:  British Topography, Maps & Decorative Prints on May 12;

Swann Galleries:  Literature, Art, Press & Illustrated Books on May 12;

Alian &b Evelyne Morel de Westgaver:  Postcards Entiers Postaux Prints & Books on May 14^th

Clars Auction gallery:  Magnificent May on May 15^th;

Profiles in History:  Hollywood Auction on May 14^th and 15^th.

It’s a busy week.

Bruce McKinney

The Americana Exchange