Some Preliminary 2008 Financials From Sotheby's

Art Daily has posted the following preliminary 2008 financial figures for Sotheby's. Final year end figures and analysis should be available by the end of February.

• Consolidated sales for Sotheby’s for 2008 were $5.3 billion Auction sales were $4.9 billion. (Consolidated sales include auction sales, auction post sales, private sales and dealer revenue.)
• Sotheby’s sold the top lot of the year, Bacon’s Triptych 1976 ( $86.3 million).
  
• The world record price for Contemporary Art, Bacon’s Triptych 1976, was set at Sotheby’s in 2008.
• Sotheby’s sold the top lot of the autumn season, Malevich’s Suprematist Composition ($60 million).
  
• Sotheby’s sold the top Contemporary lot of the autumn season, Klein’s Archisponge ($21.4 million).
  
• Sotheby’s sold six out of the top ten lots in 2008.
• Sotheby’s sold 726 lots for over $1 million.
• Sotheby’s sold 114 lots for over $5 million.
• Sotheby’s sold 41 lots for over $10 million. Sotheby’s sold 14 lots for over $20 million.
  
• Sotheby’s further reduced lot volume by 38% in 2008.