Seattle, WA -- Seattle Fur Exchange called it its most successful auction in the company's 98-year history. North American mink farmers celebrated as North American retailers and manufacturers stewed last week, when prices skyrocketed as expected at the Apr. 18-20th, season-opening mink auction here. Led by the powerful Korean fur trade, a record number of buyers representing all major markets established the season's highest price levels for dark and mahogany male mink.

A total offering of 1,101,500 American Legend mink sold 100% at an average price of $53.51. The 535,000 dark and mahogany males sold at prices 45-75% above February 1995.

"Today's outstanding sales results contributed to the singles largest sales volume day in the history of North American fur auction houses," reported Seattle Fur Exchange after its opening day.

A collection of 310,949 dark males averaged $53.65 and advanced 52% compared to February '95. Korea was the main buyer with support from Russia, Lithuania, Hong Kong/China and the United States. The top lot of Blackglama males was purchased by Lou Greenberg for Kaitery Furs, Ltd., New York, and was produced by Patrick Fur Farm of Rib Lake, WI.

Strong buyer preference for fine quality female pelts pushed dark and mahogany female price averages to near record highs, said the auction company. A collection of 316,558 dark females sold 100% and averaged $48.45, advancing 46% from May 1995.

The Blackglama female collection sold 100% and averaged $50.61. In total, a collection of 496,000 Blackglama mink averaged $53.03. The top lot of females was purchased by David Karsch for Revillon Inc., New York, for $320 and was produced by Patrick Fur Farm.

Prices on a collection of 108,480 Lunaraine/dark brown mahogany males advanced 68% to February '95, and a substantial premium was paid for sizes 00/0. The top lot of Lunaraine mahogany males was purchased by Alvin Glickman for Jindo Fur Corp. and was produced by The Becksteads.

A collection of 108,357 Lunaraine/dark brown mahogany females generated strong buyer competition, resulting in a 100% sale and an average price of $45.30. Mahogany females advanced 34% to May 1995. Demand was greatest in medium and medium dark shades. Korea was the largest buyer with support from the U.S. and Austria. The top lot of Lunaraine mahogany females was purchased by Karsch for Maximilian, New York, and produced by Westwood Mink Ranch.

Lunaraine clear/wild type males sold exceptionally well and established the season's best averages. Korea, Russia, Lithuania and Hong Kong/China were all active on males, while Korea was the biggest taker of females with support from the U.S. and Hong Kong/China. Males advanced 48% from May 1995, and females advanced 53% from May '95.

The top lot of Lunaraine males was purchased by Mechutan Fur Corp. for the Fur Salon at Saks Fifth Avenue and was produced by Walt Brown of Arlington, SD. The top lot of females was purchased by Karsch for Revillon and was also produced by Walt Brown.

A collection of 105,000 Lutetia/blue iris mink sold 100% at record price levels, with a combined male/female average on Lutetia/gunmetal iris a record $81.87. The top lot of Lutetia males was purchased by Chang Oh for Kukje of Seoul, Korea. The top lot of Lutetia females was purchased by Alvin Glickman for Jindo. Both were produced by Ruef-Delany. South Korea dominated the sale with strong support from Russia on the males.

A collection of 40,000 fine quality American Legend mutation mink sold 100% with price increases ranging from 60-75% on males and 75-90% on females compared to February '95.

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Int'l Mink Sold in Seattle

Prices also increased compared to recent levels on a collection of international mink. Dark, mahogany, demi buff, wild type and mutation mink sold 100%. Strong demand was driven by a record crowd of 220 buyers. Prices advanced 7% on dark males, with Russia dominating the bidding on large males and South Korea and Hong Kong most active on smaller sizes. The overall average on labeled international dark males was $54.04, while the average on size 00s was $68.26, size 0 averaged $58.74, and size 1 averaged $43.85.

South Korean buyers paid a premium for finer quality short nap international black females. Mahogany females were sold to an enthusiastic room, dominated by South Korea with strong support from Hong Kong/China and the U.S.

Intense competition from all markets was dominated by the Hong Kong/China trade and produced extraordinary results on demi buff and wild type males and females, reported Seattle Fur Exchange.

Active bidding by South Korea produced exceptional prices on all labeled international mutation mink. The highlight of the collection was the sapphire males, which were pushed to new levels by strong russian participation. South Korea was the main purchaser of sapphire females. White males also sold to both Russia and Asia with the U.S. and South Korea actively buying females.

The international blue iris collection sold 100% at "excellent levels." Buying followed the same pattern as the North American collection, with South Korea dominating and support from Russia on the males.

Item	Offering	% Sold	Top	Avg	F95	M95
Blackglama m	242.216	100	220.00	57.57	39.31	48.03
Blackglama f	253,793	100	320.00	50.61	35.07	37.61
GLMA males	38,104	100	57.00	47.97	29.22	34.69
GLMA females	38,002	100	53.00	40.99	21.53	23.95
Standard males	30,629	100	56.00	45.51	23.67	29.34
Standard f	24,763	100	50.00	37.71	18.57	17.72
Lunaraine mah m	108,480	100	160.00	58.74	35.12	44.20
Lunaraine mah f	108,357	100	290.00	45.30	29.06	34.85
Lunaraine cl & w m	38,268	100	80.00	54.05	26.14	34.41
Lunaraine cl & w f	36,992	100	190.00	37.76	18.35	22.57
Lutetia/gunmet m	54,011	100	180.00	89.34	66.35	77.19
Lutetia/gunmet f	51,455	100	260.00	74.03	49.47	64.30
Cerulean/sapph m	-	100	100.00	80.16	46.68	54.78
Cerulean/sapph f	-	100	100.00	63.69	34.07	36.39
Azurene/violet m	-	100	62.00	56.60	34.91	40.79
Azurene/violet f	-	100	45.00	41.26	22.51	24.82
Rovalia/pale rose m	-	100	105.00	58.13	wd	36.80
Rovalia/pale rose f	-	100	105.00	50.75	34.10	27.79
Tourmaline/pearl m	-	100	60.00	54.94	-	33.59
Tourmaline/pearl f	-	100	38.00	34.10	-	20.28
Jasmine/white m	-	100	60.00	53.84	34.41	33.47
Jasmine/white f	-	100	105.00	30.84	17.63	16.44
Autumn Haze/pastel m	-	100	55.00	51.87	26.57	28.26
Autumn Haze/pastel f	-	100	40.00	36.19	17.82	18.43
Arcturus/lavendar m	-	100	55.00	50.65	31.21	-
Acrturus/lavendar f	-	100	46.00	38.97	29.94	-
Labeled int'l blk m	-	100	70.00	54.04	-	-
Labeled int'l blk f	-	100	41.00	31.29	-	-
Labeled int'l mahagony m	-	100	64.00	55.85	-	-
Labeled int'l mahagony f	-	100	34.00	31.26	-	-
Labeled int'l demi type m	-	100	60.00	54.69	-	-
Labeled int'l demi type f	-	100	31.00	28.42	-	-
Labeled int'l wild type m	-	100	59.00	51.85	-	-
Labeled int'l wild type f	-	100	32.00	28.89	-	-
Labeled int'l blue iris m	-	100	100.00	80.10	-	-
Labeled int'l blue iris f	-	100	80.00	65.66	-	-
Labeled int'l sapphire m	-	100	100.00	88.39	-	-
Labeled int'l sapphire f	-	100	68.00	60.06	-	-
Labeled int'l pastel m	-	100	58.00	53.10	-	-
Labeled int'l pastel f	-	100	39.00	33.13	-	-
Labeled int'l pearl m	-	100	52.25	52.25	-	-
Labeled int'l pearl f	-	100	34.00	30.32	-	-
Labeled int'l white m	-	100	64.00	56.64	-	-
Labeled int'l white f	-	100	32.00	31.20	-	-
Labeled int'l blk cr. m	-	100	58.00	48.54	-	-
Labeled int'l blk cr. f	-	100	36.00	27.92	-	-