Heritage Auctions closed 2012 with more than $860 million total sales, the highest tally yet for the world’s third largest auction house and largest auctioneer of high-end collectibles. The strong sales growth was noticed in U.S. Coins, Comics and Comic Art and Historical Americana and Western art, which more than tripled over sales in 2011.
“Heritage is attracting new buyers across more categories than ever before,” said Steve Ivy, Co-Chairman and CEO of Heritage Auctions. “Both consigners and collectors alike can use our services with the utmost trust, transparency and accessibility.”
Crow Country by Howard Terpning
Heritage’s Design District Annex increased by 20 percent in 2012 to, as auction sales in fine art grew amounted to more than $45.5 million. It was the best year ever for that category.
Western and Texas art sales more than tripled in 2012, as Heritage remained a leader in the category with $10.4 million in sales. Antiques and decorative arts sales exceeded $7.27 million, realizing a growth of 32 percent, highlighted by the largest single collection of Lalique offered at auction at one time, which realized $1.6 million.
The auction house’s comic book and comic art department increased for the fourth consecutive record year with more than $37 million in sales. Weekly e-auctions only for comics fetched over $7.4 million, which is a record for e-auctions only, and a 17-percent increase over the previous year.
The Amazing Spider-Man #328
Heritage’s Vintage Comics & Comic Art Signature Auctions recorded $27.98 million in sales, highlighted by the $657,250 sale of Todd McFarlane’s original cover from The Amazing Spider-Man #328 and the first Calvin and Hobbes Sunday comic strip ever sold at auction, which brought $204,150, as well as by the company’s August auction, which reached more than $10.4 million to stand as the highest grossing comic auction ever.
U.S. Coins remains the core of Heritage’s business with a record $218.68 million in sales in 2012, including $174.51 million sold during Signature Auctions. World and Ancient coin sales have seen stunning growth over the last four years and increased 40% to $37.2 million last year – a record achievement bolstered by growth across the board.
Heritage Auctions retained its title as the world’s largest seller of sports collectibles in 2012 after closing the year with more than $20 million in sales.
1792 Half Disme SP67 PCGS sold for $1,410,000
