For the week ending 16 auctions were archived to the AED:  1 in euros, 7 in British pounds, and 8 in US dollars.  Total turnover was $14,497,150 or 69% of the aggregate of all lots offered - $21,017,405.  On the positive side, of 6,143 lots offered 4,698 or 76.5% changed hands.  That’s a strong number.  Buyers are buying but not without consideration of underlying value.

For the week 4 auctions in the category saw total sales breach the one million dollar level:

Sotheby’s.   Old Master, Modern and Contemporary Prints in London on September 19^th:  $4,810,307

Christie’s.  Prints in London on September 19^th:  $2,937,506

Swann Galleries.  19^th & 20^th Century Prints & Drawings on September 20^th:  $2,535,447

Christie’s.  Prints & Multiples in London on September 20^th:  $1,240,946

Five sales saw their total proceeds exceed the aggregate high estimate of all lots offered:

Alain & Evelyne Morel de Westgaver.  Books, etc on September 15^th:  169%

Dominic Winter Book Auctions.  Printed Books, Maps and Documents on September 19^th:  127%

Freeman’s.  Photography and Photographic Books on September 20^th:  125%

Dominic Winter Book Auctions.  A Country House Library on September 20^th:  115%

Christie’s.  Prints & Multiples on September 20^th:  100%

For the week six sales saw at least 80% of their lots sell:

Cowan’s.  The World at War on September 20^th:  91%

Dominic Winter Book Auctions.  A Country House Library on September 20^th:  91%

Dominic Winter Book Auctions.  Printed Books, Maps and Documents on September 19^th:  89%

Freeman’s.  Books, Maps and Manuscripts on September 20^th:  86%

Alain & Evelyne Morel de Westgaver.  Books, etc on September 15^th:  85%

Christie’s.  Prints & Multiples on September 20^th:  80%

For the week ahead 18 sales are scheduled:

Mon. Sept. 24^th    Sotheby’s.  Property from the Estate of Brook Astor [NO8890]

Tues.. Sept. 25^th         Sotheby’s.  Property from the Estate of Brook Astor, continued [NO8890]

                                    Bonhams.  Printed Books and Maps [19844]

Wed. Sept. 26^th          Dorotheum.  Modern Prints [92612]

                                    Lyon and Turnbull Ltd.  International Sale:  Prints [360]

                                    Mealy’s Auctioneer’s.  Rare Book and Collectors Sale [92612]

                                    Tajan.  Books [9740]

Thurs. Sept. 27^th        Alexander Autographs.  World War II [48].  1840 lots

                                    Central Mass Auctions.  Eliot Ness Memorabilia [92712]

                                    Christie’s.  Collection of Helene Rochas [3538]

                                    Heritage Auctions.  Rare Books online bidding ending today [201239]

                                    Mealy’s Auctioneer’s.  Rare Book and Collectors Sale continuing [92612]

                                    Morton Casa de Subastas.  Monclau Collection Antique Books [645]

                                    PBA Galleries.  Americana – African American History – Travel and Exploration [489]

Fri. Sept 28^th              Alexander Autographs.  World War II [48] continued.  1840 lots

Sat. Sept. 29^th             Neret – Minet & Tessier.  Comic Strips [13876]

                                    Morton Casa de Subastas.  Monclau Collection Antique Books [646]

The hunt is on.

Bruce McKinney

Sunday September 23^rd, 2012