A Strong Market

Western art soars to $15 million at the annual Scottsdale Art Auction in Arizona

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Joseph Henry Sharp (18591953), Wind River Country - Wyo. Oil, 20 x 27 in. Estimate: $150/250,000 SOLD: $362,700

On April 11 and 12, amid an unsteady market and economy, the Scottsdale Art Auction held a sale that realized $15 million in sales, set numerous new auction records and had a 97 percent sell-through rate. The markets may have been volatile, but bidders had other plans.

“Despite the economic issues happening that week, we are thrilled at the number of people actively bidding throughout the duration of the sale,” says auction partner Brad Richardson. “The auction had stronger attendance than we have had in a few years and the enthusiastic bidding speaks to the quality of work we offered across the board. You can never count out the energy of Western collectors.”