For the week ending Saturday December 15^th, 2012 25 auctions were archived to the AED; 1 is Swiss francs, 6 in British pounds, 7 in euros, and 11 in US dollars.  Total turnover was $35,800,590 or 125% of the total of the high estimates of all lots offered.  Sotheby’s, with four sales, sold $23,361,152 or 65% of that total.  It was Sotheby’s week.  For the field overall sales were strong.  Seven sales reached a million dollars, 14 brought more than 100% of their total high estimates.  Seven sold more than 80% of their lots.  The 11 sales denominated in US dollars together sold 79.1% of their lots.  It was a strong week overall punctuated by exceptional Sotheby’s performances.

The 7 sales that reached a million dollars:

Sothebys.  A Show of Hands:  Photographs from the Collection of Henry Buhl in New York on December 12^th:  $12,057,500

Sotheby’s.  Books and Manuscripts in New York on December 14^th:  $5,068,500

Heritage Auctions.  Legends of the West on December 11^th:  $4,211,550

Sotheby’s.  English Literature and History in London on December 12^th:  $4,035,062

Sotheby’s.  The Art of Illustration - From the Collection of Michael Winner in London on December 12^th:  $2,200,090

Swann Galleries.  Fine Photographs and Photobooks on December 11^th:  $1,796,500

Galerie Koller Auctions.  Modern Prints on December 7^th:  $1,073,323

The 14 sales that realized more than 100% of the total of their high estimates:

Bloomsbury Auctions.  Astronomy and Space Exploration on December 12^th:  296%

Sotheby’s.  Books and Manuscripts in New York on December 14^th:  238%

Galerie Koller Auctions.  Modern Prints on December 7^th:  228%

Swann Galleries.  Fine Photographs and Photobooks on December 11^th:  216%

Clars Auction Gallery.  Prints on December 12^th:  196%

Heritage Auctions.  Legends of the West on December 11^th:  174%

Clars Auction Gallery.  Prints on December 9^th:  172%

Bloomsbury Auctions.  Antiquarian Books on December 14^th:  148%

Cowan’s Auctions.  American History on December 7^th:  139%

Cornette de Saint Cyr.  Prints and Multiples on December 10^th:  132%

Dominic Winter Book Auctions.  Children’s Illustrated Books on December 13^th:  128%

Sotheby’s.  English Literature and History in London on December 12^th:  126%

Sotheby’s.  The Art of Illustration - From the Collection of Michael Winner in London on December 12^th:  117%

Dominic Winter Book Auctions.  Printed Books, Maps and Documents on December 12^th:  102%

The 7 sales that saw at least 80% of their lots sell:

Cowan’s Auctions.  American History on December 7^th:  99%

Heritage Auctions.  Civil War and Militaria on  December 7th:  92%

Dorotheum.  Books and Decorative Prints on December 12^th:  92%

Heritage Auctions.  Legends of the West on December 11^th:  91%

Heritage Auctions.  Rare Books online auction ended December 13^th:  87%

Clars Auction Gallery.  American History Prints on December 8^th:  82%

Dominic Winter Book Auctions.  Printed Books, Maps and Documents on December 12^th:  82%

For the rest of the month 11 sales are scheduled:

Monday Dec. 17th:

Bonhams.  Period Art and Design [20087].  173 lots

Artcurial Briest-Le Fur-Poulain-F. Tajan.  Historical Memories [20385].  7 lots

Cowan’s Auctions.  American History internet auction ending December 17^th [294].  389 lots

Bruun Rasmussen.  Old Prints [1251].  14 lots

Tuesday Dec. 18th:

Profiles in History.  Sale No. 121812.  The Property of a Distinguished American Private Collector [54].   298 lots

Swann Galleries, Inc.  Sale No. 2299.  Monsters & Maidens:  A Film Poster Collection [2299].  139 lots

Bruun Rasmussen.  Modern Prints [1251b].  81 lots

Wednesday Dec. 19th:

Alde.  Collection about the Alps, Savoy, Swiss, Franche-Comte [20570].  309 lots

Sothebys.  Sale No. N08922.  Important Judaica [N08922].  69 lots

Alde.  Ancient and Modern Books [20308].  154 lots

Thursday Dec. 20^th:

Heritage Auctions.  Rare Books online auction ending today [201251].  277 lots

Best wishes for the holidays and the New Year.

Bruce McKinney

AE

December 16, 2012