Nigel Burkwood over at Bookride has the wrap up of the auction of the library Annette Campbell White held at Sotheby’s in London.
The Recap:
The sale grossed about £1.3 million. About half a million less than the top estimates.
25% of the lots did not sell.
Many of the dealers present were the same one who had sold Ms Campbell the books in the first place.
The London trade gossip was “that the stuff had all been bought too recently and was in less than fab condition.”
The attendees were mostly male though Jeannette Winterson was spotted in crowd and active.
Many lots went to an anonymous phone bidder “who must have spent about £200K.”
Burkwood’s conclusion:
There is “plenty of money about for the right stuff and the highbrow market is healthy and probably less volatile than the popular literature market.”
See my previous post “A Lady’s Book Goes to Auction” for some background on Annette Campbell White and her library