WWA Group, Inc. has announced the conclusion of its most recent auction held at WWA Group’s Dubai facility over the period June 22, 23 and 24, 2009.

Gross auction sales exceeded US$18.29 million and involved more than 360 registered bidders from 20 countries. Equipment consigned by 145 consignors from 11 countries, comprised of over 1,200 items, was sold to 200 successful bidders.

The June auction was WWA Group’s third major auction in Dubai in 2009. Three more auctions are planned for Dubai this year in September, October and December. WWA Group will also hold auctions in Arizona, Lebanon, and the Philippines in August and September 2009.

“Traditional trading of equipment in the UAE has slowed considerably since 2008, but we are still attracting a large number of active buyers at our auctions,” said WWA Group CEO Eric Montandon. “We had less equipment in this auction than we would have liked due to the late withdrawal of a major consignor, but we still had a smooth, solid sale in terms of buyers and prices. We are looking forward to a busy summer at our new locations around the world.”

Actual sale prices for all items sold at our auctions are published for members at www.ironauctions.com. Member registration is free on the site, by clicking on “Auction Results.” Lists of equipment for sale at upcoming WWA Group auctions are updated daily on the site. Anyone interested in consigning equipment to the auctions, or registering to bid, can e-mail info@ironauctions.com or call 011 971 4 881 6142.

WWA Group is a public company; its common shares trade on the OTCBB under the ticker symbol “WWAG.OB.” The company maintains its corporate web site at www.wwagroup.com.

An Auction of Finest and Rarest Wines Including an Outstanding Selection from a Prominent Restaurant brought the attention of bidders from all over the world to Chicago. The room was nearly full with active bidders from around the world including strong participation on the Internet and telephones. The competition was robust throughout the day for wines across all categories, and an astonishing 78% of the lots either met or exceeded the high end of the pre-auction estimates. 1971 DRC offerings attracted frenzied bidding. The most expensive lot of the day included 6 bottles of 1971 Romanée-Conti which brought $59,750 (est. $30,000-45,000). A case of 1982 Château Pétrus achieved $38,240 (est. $19,000-28,000) and four cases of 1982 Lafite-Rothschild sold to the same Asian buyer for $33,460 each (est. $14,000-20,000).

Bidders participated from 39 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, as well as Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and Venezuela.

“This was the heaviest day of bidding we have seen since the Fox Cellar,” said President and CEO Paul Hart. “The market has continued to strengthen this year with each successive auction. We have seen strong interest from all major markets including the US, Asia, Europe, and South America.”

During the first half of 2009, Hart Davis Hart held five wine auctions in Chicago, bringing $12,566,715 against a total estimate for the season of $7,674,370-11,495,950. HDH sold an industry-leading 99.7% of its lots.

Commented Chairman John Hart: “This sale was a fitting end to an excellent first half of 2009. We wish to thank all of our consignors and bidders worldwide and look forward to an exciting fall season.”

Top Ten Lots (inclusive of 19.5% buyer’s premium):
1. Lot 243: 1971 Romanée-Conti (6 bs)
$59,750 (est. $30,000-45,000)
2. Lot 239: 1971 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Assortment (12 bs)
$41,825 (est. $24,000-35,000)
3. Lot 89: 1982 Château Pétrus (12 bs)
$38,240 (est. $19,000-28,000)
4. Lot 238: 1971 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Assortment (12 bs)
$38,240 (est. $24,000-35,000)
5. Lot 240: 1971 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Assortment (12 bs)
$38,240 (est. $24,000-35,000)
6. Lot 241: 1971 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Assortment (12 bs)
$35,850 (est. $24,000-35,000)
7. Lot 246: 1971 La Tâche (6 mags)
$35,850 (est. $12,000-18,000)
8. Lot 72: 1982 Château Lafite-Rothschild (12 bs)
$33,460 (est. $14,000-20,000)
9. Lot 73: 1982 Château Lafite-Rothschild (12 bs)
$33,460 (est. $14,000-20,000)
10. Lot 74: 1982 Château Lafite-Rothschild (12 bs)
$33,460 (est. $14,000-20,000)

Total aggregate: $2,831,828
Percent sold by lot: 100%

Upcoming Auction Calendar
September 12, 2009
October 24, 2009
December 5, 2009

Bidding Information
Auction catalogs are available through the website or by calling Hart Davis Hart (hdhwine.com; 312.482.9996.) The expanded website allows bidders to view and search the auction catalog and place absentee bids online.

Hart Davis Hart’s state-of-the-art technology allows bidders worldwide to participate in the Chicago-based live auctions via the Internet. Bidders can follow the auction in the salesroom, hear the live auction, and bid against the room, all in real-time. More details about the technology can be found at www.hdhwine.com.

Bidders are encouraged to attend the auction in person, but Hart Davis Hart welcomes bids by phone, fax, through the website, and via the live-bid technology. For more information, contact Hart Davis Hart at 312.482.9996 or go to hdhwine.com.

About Hart Davis Hart Wine Co.
Hart Davis Hart Wine Co. is both a dynamic retailer and an internationally prominent wine auction house, occupying a unique position in the rare wine market. We offer collectors and restaurateurs a broad range of options for buying and selling wines, providing unrivaled expertise and personalized service.

Founded in October 2004, Hart Davis Hart represents the alliance of three highly-respected industry leaders: John Hart, Michael Davis, and Paul Hart, with a combined experience of nearly 90 years in the rare wine business. John Hart, a renowned expert, has been a leader in the rare wine retail business for over three decades. With extensive careers at Christie’s, Davis & Company, and Sotheby’s, Michael Davis and Paul Hart are the most experienced wine auctioneers in America.

Hart Davis Hart has emerged as one of the most innovative and trusted sources for rare wines in America, with over 150 years of combined experience in the specialized field of fine and rare wines. No other firm can approach their level of expertise, network of relationships, or dedication to service.

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers , the world’s largest industrial auctioneer, conducted the largest Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Denver, Colorado auctions in Company history last week. Ritchie Bros. (www.rbauction.com) sold almost US$46 million of equipment in Dubai (June 1 - 3, 2009) and almost US$35 million of equipment in Denver (June 4 & 5). The Company conducted nine other unreserved public auctions around the world last week, including an auction in Moncofa, Spain that generated almost (euro)21 million (US$29 million) in gross auction proceeds (June 4 & 5).

DUBAI, UAE - Almost 700 people from 50 countries registered to bid in person or online at the unreserved auction conducted by Ritchie Bros. at its auction site in Dubai from June 1 - 3, 2009. Ritchie Bros. sold almost 2,300 heavy equipment items and trucks over three days, generating almost US$46 million in gross auction proceeds. Out-of-country bidders purchased more than US$30 million of equipment (67 percent). The majority of the equipment went to buyers from the Middle East, and there were buyers on-site at the auction from as far away as Australia, India and Singapore.

“The auction went exceptionally well,” said Steve Barritt, Ritchie Bros. Regional Manager. “This was our first Dubai auction in which we sold more equipment to buyers from outside the United Arab Emirates than within. Demand for equipment has been so high for so long in the UAE. While that demand has slowed recently, it is still strong in the surrounding Gulf countries and elsewhere in the world. By selling through Ritchie Bros., our local consignors were still able to reach those areas of strength and achieve strong returns on their surplus assets, despite the local slowdown.”

DENVER, COLORADO - Ritchie Bros. conducted the largest Colorado auction in Company history last week, selling almost US$35 million of equipment and trucks at its permanent auction site in Denver on June 4 & 5, 2009. Almost 3,000 people from 24 countries, including 48 U.S. states, registered to bid in the unreserved public auction. About 1,900 registered to bid in person; the other 1,100 registered to bid online in real time. Online bidders purchased more than US$11 million of equipment - another Denver site record. Bidders from as far away as Australia, France and the United Arab Emirates registered to bid on almost 1,900 items, including more than a dozen cranes.

“A record-breaking auction needs two things: a quality lineup of equipment and competing bidders who want to own it; we had both in Denver last week,” said Steve Merich, Ritchie Bros. Regional Manager. “Our global marketing strategy reaches potential buyers from across the U.S. and around the world. People will look far afield to find the right equipment at fair market prices. That’s what our unreserved auctions offer, whether the auction is in Denver or Dubai. There was a lot of talk about the strength of pricing here in Denver last week, which underscores the importance of reaching that global bidding audience when you’re selling in a slow economy.”

MONCOFA, SPAIN - Ritchie Bros. welcomed an international crowd to the three-day unreserved public auction at its auction site in Moncofa, Spain on June 3 - 5, 2009. More than 1,000 people from 45 countries registered to bid in person or online on more than 2,900 heavy equipment items and trucks. The auction generated almost (euro)21 million (US$29 million) in gross auction proceeds. Bidders from outside Spain purchased close to (euro)12 million (US$17 million) of equipment. The auction featured equipment from Hertz and about 290 other dealers, rental companies and contractors.

“Once again, we attracted a large international crowd of on-site and online bidders to our Moncofa auction site,” said Jeroen Rijk, Ritchie Bros. Divisional Manager. “Active bidding from a diverse audience of bidders helped us deliver strong returns for our consignors. Trucks and truck cranes sold particularly well. With the local slowdown, awareness of our unreserved auctions and demand for our services has increased in Spain. That’s why we’re opening a second auction site in Spain, in Ocana. We’re looking forward to conducting our first auction there in July.”

There are 73 unreserved Ritchie Bros. auctions on the auction calendar at www.rbauction.com, including the first auction at the Company’s new auction site in Ocana, Spain (July 3, 2009).

In its second year running, the Townhouse Gallery of Contemporary art is hosting an International contemporary art sale on Saturday 6th of June 2009. More than thirty renowned artists, many from Egypt, have donated work to support townhouse, a non-profit foundation. Their generosity is testament to the gallery’s ten-year history of promoting the arts in Egypt and its position as one of the leading independent spaces in the region.

Since its inception in 1998 , The Townhouse Gallery has established itself as one of the region’s leading independent spaces for the arts, providing an extensive programme of visual arts, film, theatre and music. The money raised from this benefit auction will go towards the gallery and its outreach program, consisting of creative workshops for adults and children ,particularly those with special needs and from underserved communities.

Works can be viewed online at www.thetownhousegallery.com and to place bids or find out more please contact fundraising@thetownhousegallery.com or call +2-010-555 0585.

The Townhouse Gallery of Contemporary Art
10 Nabrawy Street, Off Champollion Street
Downtown Cairo, Egypt

WWA Group, Inc. has announced the conclusion of an auction of US military equipment that was held on May 26, 2009 in Doha, Qatar and managed by WWA Group for Trident Kuwait, an established US military contractor.

The Doha auction is the second of its type in which WWA Group has managed an auction of US military equipment in Qatar for Trident Kuwait. WWA Group expects to become more active in future auctions throughout the Gulf region for the US government and their contractors as accumulated military equipment is auctioned off.

“The buyer turnout was good, and the sale prices were better than expected,” said WWA Group CEO Eric Montandon. “We look forward to working with Trident and the US military on similar disposals in the future, and increasing the level of our involvement. With WWA managing disposals, and our equity subsidiary Intelspec International managing construction contracts for the US military, we expect our growing relationship with this very solid client to lead to more business in the future.”

Actual sale prices for all items sold at our auctions are published for members at www.ironauctions.com. Member registration is free on the site, by clicking on “Auction Results.” Lists of equipment for sale at upcoming WWA Group auctions are updated daily on the site. Anyone interested in consigning equipment to the auctions, or registering to bid, can e-mail info@ironauctions.com or call 011 971 4 881 6142.

WWA Group is a public company; its common shares trade on the OTCBB under the ticker symbol “WWAG.OB.” The company maintains its corporate web site at www.wwagroup.com.

Auctioneers are well placed to ride out the recession in style, a major industry conference has revealed.

Some 200 delegates from the UK and overseas addressed the key practical issues facing auctioneers at the Prospering in a Downturn conference organised by ATG Media, publishers of Antiques Trade Gazette, the art and antiques weekly newspaper, on April 24.

And they heard how traditional auctioneers have been surprisingly nimble in facing the business challenges of the 21st century – a reassuring note for those gathered just two days after the Budget.

Although they currently face the same problems as the rest of business, auctioneers have been quick to adapt to the opportunities offered by digital cameras, email and the internet. Having played an important role at the heart of their local communities for centuries, many are now offering a greatly enhanced service to vendors and buyers.

“The popular image is of a tweed-suited gent hammering down lots to a few local dealers in the rooms, but things have changed,” said ATG editor-in-chief Mark Bridge, who chaired the conference.

“Live auction services such as www.the-saleroom.com mean that buyers can view all the lots in a sale from their home or office computer. They can even bid from their keyboard during the sale.

“And live online auctions mean that even remote provincial salerooms find they can attract bidders from more than 20 countries at any one time – wherever you are, you’re global.

“During the dotcom boom there were suggestions that traditional auctioneers could be swept aside by a tidal wave of automated auction alternatives. Now online bidding has a much more human face. Buyers who cannot make it to the saleroom can now log on to hear and often see a local auction in progress. It’s exciting and it’s fun.”

Delegates at the Birmingham conference also heard how technology had brought new business burdens to auctioneers, who now had to take many more photographs and answer many an increasing number of enquiries from potential buyers, but a series of speakers pointed to ways in which they could use the technology to their advantage.

Auctioneers geared up to meet the challenge with sessions on improving their digital images, effective emailing and making the most of traditional marketing.

There were first-hand accounts from auctioneers who had prospered by specialising in niche markets and from others who had maximised their business opportunities by refurbishing established High Street premises or by moving to convenient out-of-town sites.

And there were new challenges thrown down. Nigel Worboys, an antiques dealer from Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire, reminded the conference that art and antiques are Green.

He offered a compelling alternative to the perception that they are just expensive, luxury goods. “There is another message we should be emphasising in the current climate,” he said. “The carbon footprint from their original production – i.e. the amount of CO2 emitted in the process – expired a long time ago. Their mere existence has been a testament to a lifecycle of at least ten times an equivalent modern item.

“The public can be confident they are buying a product which is sustainable, re-usable and re-saleable.”

Ends

For further information, please contact Mark Bridge on 020 7420 6610 or 07889 126229 or at markbridge@atgmedia.com

Ends.

For nearly 40 years, ATG have been an integral part of the auction community, bringing together buyers and sellers of art and antiques.

The core of the business is still the newspaper Antiques Trade Gazette – the essential weekly update on what is coming up for sale, and where. But as the needs of the industry have changed, ATG have expanded their range of services to keep pace with technical advances in communication. Bidders can now view hundreds of catalogues online at their website, the-saleroom.com, and then bid via the internet during the sale, in direct contact with the auctioneer via audio and video links.

Since October 2008 all ATG services have been united in one independent company, ATG Media Ltd.

Bonhams first dedicated sale of Middle Eastern and South Asian Art to be held outside of Dubai features works of art by artists from no fewer than 13 countries. It takes place in Bonhams main saleroom in New Bond Street, London on 3rd June.

With this auction Bonhams hopes to emulate the previous success seen in their Dubai sales which saw numerous artist records broken, including the first sale of a work of art by a Middle Eastern artist for over $1,000,000, the painting titled `Eshgh’ (Love) by the Iranian artist Farhad Moshiri .

Mehreen Rizvi-Khursheed, Head of Middle Eastern Art at Bonhams says: “The sale will help to expose new Middle Eastern artists to Europe and global art centres by holding the auction in London. It is an opportunity for established and new collectors to acquire works by artists who are beginning to attract attention within the Middle East and abroad through internationally acclaimed shows. Our reputation for offering Modern South Asian art in London is well established and we hope to offer works by Middle Eastern artists with the same high levels of success.”

http://www.bonhams.com/mesa

Bonhams, will donate auction proceeds of a painting for the benefit of the Children’s Hope Foundation (CHF), a humanitarian organisation working towards the welfare of underprivileged children across the world, on 11 May at Dubai’s One & Only Royal Mirage Hotel.

The charity auction will be part of the larger auction titled ‘Orientalist Paintings and Works of Art’ where 73 paintings, water colours, sculpture, works of art, silver, glass, ceramics and Ottoman textiles will be up for sale. Dresdner Bank (DIFC) Limited, sponsors of the auction, will also be supporting the private VIP preview to be held on 7 May at the same venue.

Visit www.bonhams.com/dubai to view the auction catalogue.

A stunning selection of items that were created in the first flush of Europe’s love affair with Arabia, made by European artists who lost their hearts to the Orient, will return to Dubai on May 11th at Bonhams first sale of Oriental Art.

The sale features pictures and other works of art that captivated Europe and which created a mindset among Europeans which perceived the Arab world as a beautiful, romantic, exotic and dangerously unknown. These seminal works now return to the world that inspired them as Bonhams believes a newly mobile Arab clientele will find them fascinating time capsules, painted love letters to the Orient and Arabia.
The market for Orientalist and Middle Eastern pictures and works of art has never been stronger. With its record breaking $12 million auction in Dubai earlier, Bonhams has established powerful credentials in this area.

The ‘Arts of the Islamic World’ will be impressive showcase of Islamic and Middle Eastern inspired paintings and works of art of the highest quality. The sale will include paintings, sculpture, ceramics and glass, decorative arts, silver and antique arms and armour.

Bonhams are delighted to be hosting the private view and pre-sale reception in conjunction with The Children’s Hope Foundation, the prominent UAE children’s charity and Dresdner Bank.

Auction info http://www.bonhams.com/dubai

Imagine traveling to Scotland to acquire exceptional paintings, England to collect rare toys, Israel to find fine art, France to buy exquisite jewelry, Germany to discover Russian works of art, and the United States to locate the perfect piece of furniture…all in 14 days! Through Artfact’s industry leading live auction bidding platform, Artfact Live!, or Invaluable Live! in the UK, it’s possible to discover and purchase all of these items without ever leaving the comforts of home. Artfact’s auction house partners span the globe and now, thanks to Artfact, so do their auctions. So, if you can’t be part of the live auction action in New York, Jerusalem, Paris, Edinburgh or any of the other cities where Artfact‘s partners are located, simply visit Artfact.com (or its UK-sister site Invaluable.com) to register free to bid live online and explore the world’s largest marketplace of fine and decorative arts, antiques, collectibles, and estate auctions. If you’re not ready to bid, simply watch the activity live from the auction floor using the Artfact Live! or Invaluable Live! auction console.

Leading off the flurry of international auction activity available on Artfact Live! between April 9-23, 2009, is a “Jewelry, Watches, Wristwatches, Silver & Objects of Vertu” auction held by Rossini Maison de Ventes aux Encheres of Paris, France, on April 9, 2009. Paintings will be offered by Lyon & Turnbull of Edinburgh, Scotland on April 15, and fine art can be found at Matsart in Jerusalem, Israel, which will present its “Israeli, Jewish & International Fine Art” sale on April 16. Out of Stockton on Tees, UK, Vectis Auctions is holding a “Toys & Trains” sale on April 17. In the U.S., Freeman’s in Philadelphia will offer “American Furniture, Decorative & Folk Art” on April 19, and on April 22, Doyle New York will host its annual “Doyle+Design” sale, featuring modern and decorative art. Finally, Russian Art is on offer in both New York and Berlin. “Important Russian and European Fine Art” is on the block at Gene Shapiro in New York on April 23 while Auktionhaus Dr. Fischer will hold a sale of “Russian Works of Art & Paintings” in Helbronn, Germany on the same day.

Since the departure of eBay Live Auctions, Artfact has taken the lead in the live auction arena by partnering exclusively with the world’s most prestigious auction houses to host their online auctions. Artfact’s ever-expanding list of premier, live auction house partners includes: I.M. Chait of Beverly Hills, Swann Galleries, Koller Auctions (Zurich), Gorringes (UK), Ritchie’s Auctioneers (Canada), Mallet Japan, The Old Church Auction Galleries (South Africa) and Lawsons (Australia), to name a few.

About Artfact
Founded in 1989, Artfact is the largest global marketplace of fine and decorative arts, antiques, collectibles, and estate auctions. On January 1, 2009, Arfact launched Artfact Live!, its proprietary live auction bidding platform, enabling users to bid real time on auctions being held around the world by its prestigious auction house partners. Currently, over 1,000 fine auctioneers actively list their catalogues with Artfact.com and its U.K. sister site Invaluable.com, reaching the Artfact community of more than 10 million knowledgeable collectors and dealers worldwide. Artfact’s two websites, Artfact.com and Invaluable.com, now have close to 2 million unique visitors monthly, as verified by Quantcast. Artfact’s industry leading database includes more than 50 million complete auction results totaling more than $190 billion in value, including information on more than 500,000 international artists. In 2006, Artfact merged with RFC Systems, the leading provider of enterprise software developed specifically for the fine art and antique auction house industry. RFC helps prestigious auction houses around the world manage their businesses by automating their day-to-day operations.