While the two top lots did find buyers in the recent Fine Photographs sale at Bonhams in New York, there was very little positive news beyond the headliners. The overall Buy-In rate came in at a whopping 69%, and with only 1 positive surprise to hold back the tide of passes, the Total Sale Proceeds fell well below the low end of the aggregate pre-sale estimate.
The summary statistics are below (all results include the buyer’s premium):
| Summary Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Total Lots | 108 |
| Aggregate Pre Sale Low Estimate | $1596000 |
| Aggregate Pre Sale High Estimate | $2353500 |
| Total Lots Sold | 33 |
| Total Lots Bought In | 75 |
| Buy In % | 69.44% |
| Total Sale Proceeds | $729625 |
Here is the breakdown (using the Low, Mid, and High definitions from the preview post):
| Detailed Breakdown | |
|---|---|
| Low Total Lots | 61 |
| Total Low Lots Sold | 17 |
| Total Low Lots Bought In | 44 |
| Low Buy In % | 72.13% |
| Aggregate High Estimate of Low Lots | $405500 |
| Total Proceeds from Low Lots | $103250 |
| Mid Total Lots | 36 |
| Total Mid Lots Sold | 13 |
| Total Mid Lots Bought In | 23 |
| Mid Buy In % | 63.89% |
| Aggregate High Estimate of Mid Lots | $738000 |
| Total Proceeds from Mid Lots | $208125 |
| Total High Lots | 11 |
| Total High Lots Sold | 3 |
| Total High Lots Bought In | 8 |
| High Buy In % | 72.73% |
| Aggregate High Estimate of High Lots | $1210000 |
| Total Proceeds from High Lots | $418250 |
The top lot by High estimate was tied between two lots: lot 45, Ansel Adams, The Golden Gate before the Bridge, 1932/c1960, and lot 66, Irving Penn, Ginko Leaves (New York), 1990/1992, both estimated at $150000-250000. The Adams sold for $162500 and the Penn was the top outcome of the sale at $199500 (image above, via Bonhams).
84.85% of the lots that sold had proceeds in or above the estimate range and there was only 1 positive surprise in the sale (defined as having proceeds of at least double the high estimate) (image above via Bonhams):
Lot 61, Roy Schatt, Marilyn Monroe, 1955, estimated at $2500-3000, sold at $6875
The complete lot by lot results can be found here.
