We've already taken a look at the 100% sell-through rates of Sotheby's, Christie's and Acker Merrall & Condit's recent wine auctions (in this week's Paul says...). And now it seems that this success has been imitated by car collectors in Hershey, Pasadena...
One-hundred percent of the lots sold at RM Auctions' two-day Hershey sale (October 7-8), starring a wonderful series of Brass Era automobiles. The event saw more than 140 cars, alongside a selection of vintage motorcycles and automobilia, roll onto the auction block before a packed house.
 The 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe |
According to RM, bidders from 18 countries around the world joined in via telephone and the internet from countries as far afield as Argentina, Turkey and Australia, alongside those in the saleroom.
Top lot status sent to the majestic and well-documented 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe, J194 - long regarded as the most outstanding example of design and engineering of the Classic Era. From the estate of Mr John O'Quinn, it went to a telephone bidder for $748,000.
Also among the sale's stars was a London-to-Brighton eligible 1903 Packard Model F Rear-Entry Tonneau, offered from the same collection. The Packard exceeded its pre-sale estimate, selling for $374,000 and leading the strong results achieved for the selection of Brass Era vehicles.
 The vintage 1903 Packard Model F Rear-Entry Tonneau |
Other highlights in the sale included an exceptional selection of vehicles from the private collection of Gerald Sichel. Among them were 20 cars that pre-date 1910, many of which easily rolled past their pre-sale high estimates.
Here were the event's Top 10 sales:
- 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe - $748,000
- 1903 Packard Model F Rear-Entry Tonneau - $374,000
- 1930 Cadillac V-16 Sport Phaeton - $297,000
- 1911 Jackson 50 HP 7-Passenger Touring - $203,500
- 1913 Peerless Model 48-Six Roadster - $200,750
- 1913 Inter-State Model 45 7-Passenger Touring - $189,750
- 1909 Thomas Flyer 6-40 7-Passenger Touring - $176,000
- 1912 Stoddard-Dayton 5-Passenger Roadster - $173,250
- 1931 Pierce-Arrow Model 41 7-Passenger All Weather Tourer - $173,250
- 1937 Delahaye Type 135C Grand Prix Recreation - $159,500
RM's upcoming events include its much-anticipated Automobiles of London sale, starring the 1964 Aston Martin DB5, 1965 Ferrari 500 Superfast and Lamborghini Miura SVJ among others. Watch this space for more news on the auction.
