For the week ending Saturday June 16^th 25 auctions were archived; 6 in British pounds, 9 in US$ and 10 in euros.  Nine thousand three hundred and eighty-nine lots were offered and 6,158 lots sold.  Sixty-six percent of all lots offered sold, 85% of the dollar denominated and 61% of pound and euro lots.  Europe has been taking it on the chin, caught between national sovereignty and the need for continent-wide economic policy.   Bookmakers though, looking at book dealers and the auction houses, may want to shorten their odds on intensifying union.  The market is a little beaten-up but clearly looking past the current uncertainty.  I’ll bid at auction this week in support of the field and encourage you, if the material is appealing, to do the same.  Uncertain moments create opportunities.

Total sales for the 66% of lots that sold were $16,493,648, 83% of the total of the high estimates for all lots offered.  A number at or above 100% of the high estimates suggests a very strong market while a percentage below 70% suggests weakness.  Eighty-three percent is mid way.

The following sales reached or exceeded 100% of the total of their high estimates:

Dorotheum.  Autographs on May 31^st:  199%

Heritage.  Legends of the West on June 10^th:  169%

Piasa.  Prints on June 7^th:  105%

Christie’s.  Books on June 13^th:  100%

The following sales reached or exceeded a million dollars:

Christie’s.  Books on June 13^th:  $4,986,458

Sotheby’s.  Fine Books and Manuscripts on June 15^th:  $2,651,692

Heritage.  Legends of the West on June 10^th:  $2,143,788

Bonhams.  Manuscripts and Historical Photos on June 12^th:  $1,799,602

Galeria Bessenge.  Prints on May 31^st:  $1,132,323

The following sales saw 80% or more of the lots offered sell:

Carlsen Gallery.  Books of English Architecture and Antiquities:  100%

National Book Auctions.  Books and Ephemera - Champney, Modern 1sts, Nautical, etc:  100%

Heritage.  Rare Books – Internet auction ended June 14^th:  87%

Heritage.  Legends of the West on June 10^th:  87%

Bloomsbury.  Bibliophile on June 8^th:  86%

Freeman’s.  Books, Manuscripts and Ephemera on May 31^st:  85%

Bonhams.    Manuscripts and Historical Photos on June 12^th:  81%

Christie’s.  Books on June 13^th:  80% 

For the week ahead 18 auctions are scheduled:

Tuesday June 19^th    Bonhams.  Fine Books and Manuscripts, including Russian Literature [20009].  436 lots

Wed. June 20^th          Bonhams.  The Gentleman’s Library [19598].  526 lots

                                    Dominic Winter Book Auctions.  Printed Books, Maps and Documents [S328].  725 lots

                                    Dorotheum.  Books and Decorative Prints [9464].  473 lots.

Thurs.  June 21^st       Bonhams.  Sporting Sale [20221].  75 lots

                                    Cowan’s Auctions.  American History [261].  349 lots.

                                    Dominic Winter.  Children’s & Illustrated Books, Antique Toys & Games [62112].

                                    Heritage Auctions.  Rare Books – Internet bidstart 6/14 [201225].  434 lots.

                                    PBA Galleries.  Rare Books and Manuscripts, with Children’s Books [482].  354 lots.

                                    Swann Galleries.  19^th & 20^th Century Literature [2282].  323 lots.

Friday June 22^nd  Christie’s.  Books and Manuscripts [2572].  292 Lots.

                                    Christie’s.  George Washiongton’s Personal Copy of Acts Passed at a Congress [2761]  1 lot

                                    Ferraton.  Antiquarian and Modern Books [2384].

                                    Galerie Koller.  Modern Prints [Z32].  140 lots

Saturday June 23^rd   Ferraton.  Antiquarian and Modern Books continued [2384].

Sunday June 24^th      National Book Auctions.  Books and Ephemera – Geology, Paleontology, Signatures, etc. [06242012]

Sales are continuing at a strong pace.

Bruce McKinney

AE

Sunday June 17^th, 2012