The packed November auction season was off to a flying start last week with Deutscher and Hackett posting its highest auction total for the year and the highest value Melbourne sale in a decade.

The 63-lot auction last Wednesday night, featuring 20 classics of Australian art, pulled in $13 million (including buyer’s premium), bringing Deutscher and Hackett’s auction total for the year to $25.8 million, edging the company to the lead as its rivals also headed to the rostrum this week with their final major auctions of the year – Smith & Singer Wednesday night and Menzies Thursday night.