LONDON.- Sotheby’s February Series of Impressionist, Modern and Contemporary Art auctions**, realised £242,109,075 / $393,550,838 / €286,186,170. This exceptional sum, which surpasses pre-sale expectations (combined pre-sale estimate for the series: £152-250 million), not only represents the highest total achieved in London by any auction house this season, but also the second highest total for any sales season ever held at Sotheby’s in London. In the course of the two weeks of sales, Sotheby’s established the three highest prices of the London season, leading the field in sales of Impressionist & Modern and Contemporary Art, as well as establishing the highest prices across a number of schools and periods. Melanie Clore, Chairman Sotheby’s Europe and Co-Chairman Sotheby’s Worldwide Impressionist & Modern Art Department, “The last two weeks of sales have seen the vitality of the current marke