November 2014 New York auctions yield mixed results with record highs and notable buy-ins

Sotheby's New York achieved $343 million in its 11 November postwar and contemporary sale, falling short of the previous year's $380.6 million total. Jasper Johns' 1983 Flag set an auction record for the artist at $36 million, while Mark Rothko's No. 21 (Red, Brown, Black and Orange) from 1951 fetched the evening's highest price of $45 million, though this was $5 million below its estimate. Several works failed to sell, including Jeff Koons' Moon (Yellow) from 1995–2000, which had been owned by Damien Hirst, alongside pieces by Ad Reinhardt and Keith Haring. Christie's New York set a postwar and contemporary record for the auction house with $852.9 million in sales on 12 November. Cy Twombly's 1970 Blackboard series painting established a new auction record for the artist at $69.6 million. Yayoi Kusama's 1960 infinity net painting White No. 28 sold for $7.1 million, and a collection of Cindy Sherman's Untitled Film Stills from 1977-1980 also achieved record prices. Roy Lichtenstein's Keds from 1961 was bought in by Christie's for $19 million, despite other works by the artist finding buyers. The sales occurred in mid-November 2014.