Auction Update Review
A Workman-like Performance
For the week ending October 15th
eight auctions were archived: one in
British Pounds, two in Euros and five in US Dollars. Three thousand one hundred and nineteen lots
were offered and 2,228 lots sold for a 71.4% success rate. Turnover was $3,004,448, 85% of the aggregate
of the high estimates. Two sales stood
out. Doyle New York, working to develop
a vibrant trade in works on papers offered the Arthur Rothstein Collection of
Photography. Its 165 lots were
conservatively estimated and brought 233% of their high estimate. For both consignors, bidders and Doyle the
sale must have been exhilarating. Such
events are very good for the field. The
other outstanding sale was Bonham’s sale of Fine Books and Manuscripts in New
York on October 10th. They
sold a potpourri of material successfully.
Any more the auction equation is good material, good presentation and
extensive promotion to bring together buyers and material. It’s not magic but it is skillful.
For the week two sales reached or
exceeded 100% of their aggregate high estimates:
Doyle New York. The Arthur Rothstein Collection of
Photography: 233%
Alde. The Pierre Jean Remy Library: 138%
For the week ahead 12 sales are
scheduled:
October 17th Christie’s: Interieurs [1013]
October 18th Bonhams:
The Robert H. and Donna L. Jackson Collection Part 1: 19th Century Literature [19545]
Sothebys: Safra Collection [NO8822]
October 19th Galerie Bassenge: Books [98b]
Kapandji
Morhange: Books and Manuscripts [17312]
October 20th Bloomsbury Auctions: Books from the RICS Library [35845]
Galerie
Bassenge: Books [98b]
Sothebys: Library of an English Bibliophile, Pt. II
[NO8768]
October 21st Freeman’s [Samuel T. Freeman & Co.]: Photographs & Photobooks [1142]
Gallerie
Bassenge: Books [98b]
October 22nd Alde:
Library Claude L. [17317]
Gallerie
Bassenge: Books [98b]
Through all the financial mayhem of
gyrating exchange rates, political uncertainty, and the vicissitudes of life
the auctions are delivering results that make sense. The field is durable.
