Evidence of this is that there were two new records set at these auctions. At Sotheby's on June 4 a new American auction record for an Oriental rug was set on Lot 261, a silk and metallic thread Polonaise carpet. It sold for $264,000. (All prices given here include the 10% buyer's premium.) The rug went to a European. The two higher international prices for an Oriental rug are also held by Polonaise rugs, so these clearly are the most sought after rugs in the world.

The second record was set by a Star Kazak, Lot 112, at Skinner's. This rug, which is considered to be the oldest and finest example of the type, was estimated ridiculously low at $10,000-15,000. It ultimately sold for $154,000, a new world record for a Caucasian rug at auction. This superceded the prices of the more famous Dragon and Blossom Kubas which are considered the finest of the classical Caucasian rugs. In typical fashion Skinner's started the bidding on this rug at $1,000 and it was inching up in $1,000 jumps. Herr Herrmann, who was the ultimate underbidder, more or less said, "Let's cut the krapp. $50,000!" and it went on up from there. It ultimately ended up with an American collector. A rare event itself!

While the Polonaise was no particular surprise, the Star Kazak was. This rug was in fine condition, had great color, and those elements of pattern/design which are the earliest for the type. It also had that element of presence which the greatest rugs have. It is perhaps and important indicator that we have entered a new era when a 19th century rug records a higher price than the classical.

There were four auctions on this particular long weekend in June. It began with Sotheby's on June 4, Skinner's on June 5, Grogan's on June 6, and Christie's on June 7. Looking at these in toto there are two definite rug groups which stand out as "hot" at the moment.

The first group supports the record price for the Polonaise. Classical rugs and fragments, especially fragments, did very well in these auctions. Sotheby's first 10 rug lots were classical rugs and fragments. Of these two sold below estimate, one sold within bid range, and seven sold above estimate. Lot 5 was four fragments, none of which was larger than a handkerchief, estimated at $400-600; they sold for $2,750! Lot 10, an Isfahan fragment illustrated on the cover of the catalog, was estimated at $5,000-10,000, and it sold for $44,000! Other classical rugs - Lot 120, Chinese; Lot 205, Northeast Persian (second time around); Lot 273, Oushak - all sold.

Grogan had a fragment of a lesser Persian garden carpet, late 17th century, which was estimated at $300-400. It sold for $1,870.

The second strong group was Caucasian soumaks. All of the houses had rugs of this type which sold for surprising money in some cases. Many of these we would be hard pressed to even make an offer on if we encountered them in some little old lady's estate. Most of these which sold were of the three medallion type. Some which were unusual did not sell, such as Lot 30, which could be viewed as related to the rare curled leaf rugs, or Lot 55, a mint verneh. Lot 32 was a dragon soumak published in Burns' book. It had perfect condition, but as a European dealer remarked as he looked at it, "It is too nice and neat." Why is it, when perfect condition is encountered in an old rug, it is discounted for some reason? Christie's Lot 96, a three medallion soumak, sold for $3,300 and it had condition problems. In even worse condition and slightly smaller, Lot 10 made $2,200. Skinner's Lot 193, a room size piece with "areas of wear," sold for $4,070. In some of these cases, we wondered if they were destined to be pillows, but they would become awfully expensive pillows.

One other group of rugs which perhaps deserves mention is the French Savonnerie and Aubusson rugs. These have been strong for some years now and they continue to be exceptionally strong decorative rugs. Sotheby's Lot 266, Empire style estimated at $40,000-60,000, sold for $154,000, maybe a new record. Lot 262, an Art Deco Savonnerie, circa 1930, which was estimated at $7,000-10,000, sold for $71,500 to a French buyer. This rug had a mark in the corner indicating who made it. All of the rugs of this style, even needlepoints, were exceptionally strong.

In other reports, we have remarked on the strength of Chinese rugs in recent sales; this trend is continuing. Grogan sold a dragon pillar rug for $7,700 and a rare 18th century Chinese silk square rug for $13,200. Skinner's was surprised by the $25,300 paid for an early 19th century red field rug estimated at $4,000-6,000. Christie's Lot 151, last quarter 19th century Peking rug, 16'6"x16'3", estimated at $6,000- 8,000, made $5,500.

Other than these specific groups, interest and prices tended to vary from piece to piece. We could see no trends, for example, with soumak bagfaces. Some sold well, others did not sell. There weren't enough Turkoman pieces in the sale to make a judgment. Caucasian rugs were still strong, but estimates may have played a role here.

For example, Sotheby's had two Eagle Kazaks. Lot 34 was estimated at $10,000-15,000, and Lot 48 was estimated $4,000-5,000; there was not enough difference in these two rugs to justify this spread in the estimates. Lot 34 did not sell; Lot 48 sold for $6,325.

Christie's had two Akstafa Shirvans. Lot 51, estimated at $4,000-6,000, sold for $5,060 and Lot 89, estimated at $12,000-15,000, was bought in at $9,500. Although there were condition differences in the two pieces, beauty was comparable with Lot 51 being the better looking rug.

These kinds of estimates cause one to stop and ask what's going on here. The Polonaise, for example, was estimated at $60,000-90,000. The Star Kazak was $10,000-15,000. If Polonaise carpets are known to hold the record, why was this estimate so low? If Star Kazaks are known to sell easily within a $40,000-60,000 range, why was it estimated so low? The difference noted above with the Eagle Kazaks and the Akstafas are similar examples of estimates all over the place.

There are several different reasons for such estimate ranges: 1) the consignor did not ask for more; 2) the house advised the consignor to set a low estimate to generate more interest; 3) the consignor wanted a high estimate; 4) the house knew the value of the piece and advised setting a high estimate; or 5) neither the house nor the consignor had a good idea of the value of the rug.

The houses have better information on what rugs sell for at auction worldwide than anyone else: Is it fair to the consignor for the houses to encourage consignment at a low price and then surprise them with a high sale? Won't some consignors say, "What kind of dummies are these professionals that they didn't know what the rug was worth? Is it fair to the buyers, who look to the houses to provide a reasonable bid range for what might be spent for a rug at auction? Do many of these people decide, "This place doesn't know shine from Shinola!" If a dealer wants to consign a rug at a top retail figure and the house knows it will not sell but accepts it anyway to have a "better looking" auction, is that a good way to run an auction business? The dealers who buy most of the rugs know what game is being played, but the general public does not. When Herrmann bid $50,000, he was being realistic - as well as impatient - with this system. But he reduced the number of bidders to a handful and a host of other "wishful bidders" learned what the real game was.

All of these are reasons why one encounters these aberrations in the auction business. When people scratch their heads and ask why these rugs sold for this or that when they were estimated at something quite different, these are the reasons.

Our favorite auction of the group was Christie's. Admittedly, it was the weakest of the major three and the bidders on hand were largely dealers and a group of committed rug collectors. There were really no big surprises here either. But the auction moved along at a good pace. At most of the houses the smaller collector tribal and village rugs are sold first and the larger rugs last.

In general, Caucasian rugs sold well and Turkish rugs were spotty. There were several nice Baluch pieces in this sale and the presence of several Baluch collectors produced some spirited bidding on several pieces, with good buys in each case, nothing outlandish in prices paid. An Arabatchi ensi, Lot 67, estimated at $1,500-2,000, sold for $4,620 to a German dealer. A pair of the highly desired cross medallion soumak bag faces failed to sell at $6,000. If offered singly, instead of as a paired lot, each should normally have sold for $3,000-4,000.

The highlight of the evening came with a group of pictorial rugs. These were offered between the small collector rugs and the larger decorative carpets. There were eight lots of these rugs and, if deliberately planned by the house as a light interlude, it worked perfectly.

When the first of these, Lot 104, came up, described as "a scene of three maidens along a river bank with swans and drinking vessels," there was rome spirited bidding, both from the floor as well as on the phones. There was also snickering in the audience. Auctioneer Wayne cautioned that, "These could be your relatives." Whether he meant the bidders, weavers, or persons depicted in the rug was uncertain but it brought the house down.

This rug was followed by Lot 106. About 4'x6', this rug was divided into four compartments with four larger than lifesize representations of a woman's face. Estimated at $2,000- 3,000, it sold to a determined phone bidder for $1,540. After knocking it down, Wayne was heard to remark, "Wait until they see it!" All in all, great fun was had with this group of rugs. It was handled in such away that those buying the rugs could not have felt denigrated by the remarks, and the audience loved it.

As for results, Sotheby's had its best sale in eight years with a total value of $2.8 million and 88% of the 285 lots sold. Skinner's had its best rug sale ever with a value of $675,000 and 72% of the 235 lots sold. Christie's sold 71% of the 157 lots and a total value of $447,060.

Grogan, the newcomer on this round, was also pleased with his results. This was his third auction, the first of Oriental rugs only. He had 112 1ots of which 80% sold for a total value of $263,000. In contrast to the other houses, he does not produce catalogs but he accepts consignments up until three or four days before an auction, and there are no long previews. This appears to have great appeal to the local picker-dealers. They can drop off a rug and, if it sells, so much , the better; if not, that's O.K., too, because it has not been published or exposed and had the "bloom" taken off it. Grogan appears to be breaking from the pack and, not being the shy type, announces his next rug sale will be on September 14. Because of the size of his gallery, he does not anticipate having more than 100-120 rugs per sale.

What with new rug price records and several new total auction sales highs at the houses, the spring auctions were an unqualified success. The European presence was especially strong for the collector goods, but some strong-willed American collectors finally defended home ground. Undoubtedly, the houses will ask themselves, "How can we top this?" Rumor has it that several new ivory-ground Star Kazaks have emerged from the closets...or what their owners hope are Star Kazaks!