Arizona auctions poised for record year

Gooding & Co. finished its second and final day of auctions on Saturday, and as has become the norm, beat last year's totals. Closing out its week at an estimated $34.9 million, eight lots made it into the million-dollar club.

Last year's results posted $33.9 million; the estimated $1 million gain closes out the week second only to Barrett-Jackson.

RM Auctions, as reported earlier, finished the week posting sales of $30.6 million and had its best week ever in Arizona. Growth against last year's total of $19.6 million was notable.

With one day left of auctions, Russo and Steele has unverified results of $17.9 million. Last year's Russo and Steele results were way down as a result of the tent collapse, but they are already equal to their 2009 levels. Barrett-Jackson, also with one day of sales remaining, is poised to beat its 2010 levels, with an estimated $65.9 million.

Silver Auctions, returning to its Fountain Hills location just a few miles from Scottsdale, will also beat dollar amounts from last year. With Sunday sales left to complete, its two-day total stands near $3.2 million.

When final results are tallied, 2011 will beat 2010 for each auction company, and for most will be an all-time best year.

By Dave Kinney