DOHA, QATAR Sotheby’s ‘Hurouf: The Art of the Word’ Sale, the first-ever international auction entirely devoted to calligraphy, realised the outstanding total of $5,630,125 (QAR 20,500,765), in excess of the pre-sale high estimate of $5.5 million. The sale established sell-through rates of 72.5% by lot and 87.6% by value, and set 9 new records for artists at auction and benchmarks for 21 artists whose works have never before been offered in an international sale. 32% of the buyers were new to Sotheby’s. Following the auction, Robin Woodhead, Chairman Sotheby’s International, commented: “This evening’s sale concludes a remarkable week in Qatar . The concept of this calligraphic auction was exceptionally well received when we announced the sale in June, and the momentum and enthusiasm generated grew as we exhibited highlights in London, Abu Dhabi and