Phillips’ recent various owner Photographs sale in London performed right in line with expectations. At roughly 30%, the Buy-In rate was about average, and the 10 positive surprises sprinkled across the sale helped perk things up. Overall, the Total Sale Proceeds fell in the middle of aggregate pre-sale estimate, and when compared with the other two major auction houses, Phillips brought home the most photographic revenue in this short London swing.
The summary statistics are below (all results include the buyer’s premium):
| Summary Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Total Lots | 160 |
| Aggregate Pre Sale Low Estimate | £1878500 |
| Aggregate Pre Sale High Estimate | £2709000 |
| Total Lots Sold | 110 |
| Total Lots Bought In | 50 |
| Buy In % | 31.25% |
| Total Sale Proceeds | £2251563 |
Here is the breakdown (using the Low, Mid, and High definitions from the preview post):
| Detailed Breakdown | |
|---|---|
| Low Total Lots | 40 |
| Total Low Lots Sold | 27 |
| Total Low Lots Bought In | 13 |
| Low Buy In % | 32.50% |
| Aggregate High Estimate of Low Lots | £150500 |
| Total Proceeds from Low Lots | £120688 |
| Mid Total Lots | 94 |
| Total Mid Lots Sold | 64 |
| Total Mid Lots Bought In | 30 |
| Mid Buy In % | 31.91% |
| Aggregate High Estimate of Mid Lots | £1153500 |
| Total Proceeds from Mid Lots | £1054375 |
| Total High Lots | 26 |
| Total High Lots Sold | 19 |
| Total High Lots Bought In | 7 |
| High Buy In % | 26.92% |
| Aggregate High Estimate of High Lots | £1405000 |
| Total Proceeds from High Lots | £1076500 |
The top lot by High estimate was lot 58, Peter Beard, Maureen and a late-night feeder, 2.00 am, Hog Ranch, 1987/2000, estimated at £100000-150000 (image in preview post). It was also the top outcome of the sale at £149000.
96.36% of the lots that sold had proceeds in or above the estimate range and there were 10 positive surprises in the sale (defined as having proceeds of at least double the high estimate) (image above via Phillips):
Lot 1, Ellen von Unwerth, Parasol, 1990/2016, estimated at £15000-20000, sold at £50000
Lot 36, Evelyn Hofer, Selected Images, 1965-1989/later, estimated at £4000-6000, sold at £13750
Lot 64, Masahisa Fukase, [Erimo Mikase] Cape Erimo from [Karasu] Ravens, 1976/1986, estimated at £15000-25000, sold at £93750 (image in preview post)
Lot 72, Saul Leiter, Lanesville (Variant), 1958/2008, estimated at £3000-5000, sold at £11875
Lot 77, Lewis Baltz, Orange County from The Prototype Works, 1970, estimated at £8000-12000, sold at £32500
Lot 83, Diane Arbus, Three transvestites in evening dress at a lounge, NYC, 1961/1961-1963, estimated at £10000-15000, sold at £42500
Lot 124, Fernand Fonssagives, Sand Fence, 1930s, estimated at £2000-3000, sold at £6250
Lot 127, Lilian Bassman, The Little Furs, Barbara Mullen, Russian Broadtail Jacket by Trigère and hat by Lilly Daché, Essex House, 1955/later, estimated at £3000-5000, sold at £11000
Lot 145, René Burri, Ernesto Che Guevara, Havana, Cuba, 1963/later, estimated at £4000-6000, sold at £13750
Lot 156, Peter Beard, Fayel Tall at Loingalani, Lake Rudolf, Kenya, February, 1987/later, estimated at £15000-20000, sold at £40000
The complete lot by lot results can be found here.
