A rare 16th-century atlas, once owned by Queen Mary I of England, is being offered for $1.6 million at the New York Antiquarian Book Fair. The volume, which contains unique early maps of Britain, was acquired by dealer Barry Lawrence Ruderman Antique Maps Inc. for $227,000 just two years ago and is now presented as a major artifact of Tudor history.
The article recounts the author's experience at Art Basel Miami Beach 2025, beginning with a moment of reflection on the beach before the fair week's chaos. Three veteran attendees—an artist, an advisor, and a gallery owner—chose to skip the event this year, citing lackluster parties, declining collector interest in Miami compared to Paris, and poor sales attrition. Despite these doubts, the fair saw strong sales, with Hauser & Wirth reporting a 40% increase in the first three hours, and a new digital art sector boosting optimism. Pop-up exhibitions, like "The Body is The Body" at the Rice Hotel, were highlights, while Vanity Fair's party remained the most coveted invite.
NADA Miami and Untitled Art opened on December 2, 2024, in Miami Beach, both targeting the mid-tier and emerging art markets. The fairs saw strong early sales and a predominantly American and local audience, with fewer European and Asian collectors than in previous years. Dealers reported a rebound in market confidence, with sales activity signaling a recovery in the mid-career and emerging segments, though not reaching the frenzy of earlier boom periods. The fairs also showcased a shift away from bright figuration and identity politics toward deeper reflections on reality, mediatization, and materiality.