The photography offerings in Phillips’ recent New Now sale in New York performed generally to expectations. With an overall Buy-In rate for photography under 20%, the Total Sale Proceeds found their way to the middle of the aggregate pre-sale range with a minimum of fuss.
The summary statistics are below (all results include the buyer’s premium):
| Summary Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Total Lots | 57 |
| Aggregate Pre Sale Low Estimate | $330700 |
| Aggregate Pre Sale High Estimate | $478500 |
| Total Lots Sold | 46 |
| Total Lots Bought In | 11 |
| Buy In % | 19.30% |
| Total Sale Proceeds | $390250 |
Here is the breakdown (using the Low, Mid, and High definitions from the preview post):
| Detailed Breakdown | |
|---|---|
| Low Total Lots | 42 |
| Total Low Lots Sold | 34 |
| Total Low Lots Bought In | 8 |
| Low Buy In % | 19.05% |
| Aggregate High Estimate of Low Lots | $201500 |
| Total Proceeds from Low Lots | $173375 |
| Mid Total Lots | 15 |
| Total Mid Lots Sold | 12 |
| Total Mid Lots Bought In | 3 |
| Mid Buy In % | 20.00% |
| Aggregate High Estimate of Mid Lots | $277000 |
| Total Proceeds from Mid Lots | $216875 |
| Total High Lots | 0 |
| Total High Lots Sold | NA |
| Total High Lots Bought In | NA |
| High Buy In % | NA |
| Aggregate High Estimate of High Lots | $0 |
| Total Proceeds from High Lots | NA |
The top photography lot by High estimate was tied between three lots: lot 245, Christopher Williams, Linhof Technika V fabricated in Munich, Germany. Salon Studio Stand fabricated in Florence, Italy. Dual cable release. Prontor shutter. Symar-s lens 150mmm/f 5.6 Schneider kreuznach. Sinar fresnel lens placed with black tape on the ground glass. (White) Dirk Sharper Studio, Berlin, June 19, 2007, 2008, lot 249, Thomas Ruff, Nacht 11 II, 1992, and lot 270, Wang Qingsong, Dormitory, 2005, each estimated at $20000-30000 (images in preview post). The top photography outcome of the sales was tied between the prints by Williams and Wang, both selling at $25000; the Ruff print sold at $22500.
95.65% of the lots that sold had proceeds in or above the estimate range and there were a total of 3 positive surprises in the sales (defined as having proceeds of at least double the high estimate) (images above, via Phillips, except where noted):
Lot 36, Joseph Szabo, Priscilla, 1969/2003, estimated at $1000-2000, sold at $4375
Lot 44, Terry Richardson, 5 works, 1998, 2004, 2008, estimated at $3000-5000, sold at $10625
Lot 175, Mickalene Thomas, Din avec la main dans le miroir, 2008, estimated at $3000-5000, sold at $13750 (image in preview post)
The complete lot by lot results can be found here (New Now) and here (Katayama).
