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Auctions America by RM posts more than $4.1 million in total sales with an 82 percent sell-through at its debut Las Vegas sale
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Event attracts strong international interest with bidders representing 10 countries from around the world
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Top sellers include a 1910 Flying Merkel and 1926 Cleveland Fowler
AUBURN, Indiana (Jan.17, 2012) – Auctions America by RM enjoyed a successful debut in Las Vegas this past weekend, selling more than $4.1 million (include the 12% buyer’s premium) worth of vintage motorcycles, with an impressive 82 percent sell-through of all lots offered.
1910 Flying Merkel
Held at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, the Jan. 12-14 event enjoyed strong attendance, as thousands of enthusiasts flocked to see a broad selection of 490 motorcycles and a range of bike-related memorabilia. Bidders represented 35 states and 10 countries from as far away as Germany, the United Arab Emirates and Australia, with on-site buyers joined by a number of internet and phone bidders.
The top seller of the weekend was a beautifully restored 1910 Flying Merkel, resplendent in the company’s bright orange coloring that garnered $86,800. A high-quality 1926 Cleveland Fowler fetched $76,160. In addition, the sale also featured Criss Angel’s BeLIEve/MINDFREAK custom chopper selling for $19,040 as the magician watched from the podium. All proceeds from Angel’s Charity Chopper sale – including auction commissions – went to his BeLIEVE Anything Is Possible foundation to help children in need.
We are extremely pleased by the response and outcome of the sale, said Auctions America President Donnie Gould. It exceeded our expectations for a first-time event, and we received nothing but positive feedback from the buyers, sellers and attendees on the quality and diversity of the offering, event presentation and our dedicated client service.
Auctions America has become an auction house of choice for collections of estate and private vehicles – a status confirmed by the appearance at the Las Vegas sale of eight private motorcycle collections. A highlight of the offering was the Christiansen Collection, featuring eight motorcycles at no reserve.
I was very happy with the way everything was handled, said Arlene Christiansen following the sale. I was sorry to see my late husband’s bikes go, but Auctions America had a very nice event and took excellent care of them and me.
Participants enjoyed an interactive educational element during the debut Las Vegas sale. The exclusive motorcycle seminar was moderated by SPEED Channel’s Dave Despain. Experts Mark Hoyer (editor, Cycle World), Buzz Walneck (founder, Walneck’s Classic Cycle Trader), Doug Mitchel (motorcycle author) and Joe Bortz (motorcycle collector) discussed several aspects of the collector motorcycle industry and took questions from the audience.
Full results from Auction America’s Las Vegas Premier Motorcycle Auction are posted online at www.auctionsamerica.com. Auctions America continues its 2012 auction calendar in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, March 16-18.
1926 Cleveland Fowler
Criss Angel’s BeLIEve/MINDFREAK Custom Chopper
