8. The New York Mega-Auctions, and the Rise and Rise of Guarantees

In Episode 8 of the Art Market Podcast, Georgina and Tom dissect a monumental week of New York auctions – the billion-dollar SI Newhouse sale at Christie’s, the Mnuchin estate at Sotheby’s, record Rothkos, a Pollock that broke records, but also the works that quietly lost money, revealing a discriminating flight-to-safety market.
In the second half, Tom takes a deep dive into third-party guarantees: where they came from, why they now cover the vast majority of evening sales, how they turn auctions into pre-sold theatre, and what might happen if a major museum one day publicly guaranteed a work. Enjoy!
__________________________________________________________________
✉️ Email questions at hello@theartmarketpodcast.com
__________________________________________________________________
Subscribe for weekly episodes exploring the global art market, its players, and its hidden dynamics.