Mr. Mendel's auction today will offer 25 apartments absolute.

Christie's auction of 19th-century art on Wednesday offered 356 works estimated by the house to bring $9.5 million to $13.8 million.

The forthcoming auctions are offering some rare works, too, and many dealers question just how much the market can absorb within the next 10 days.

In addition to eliminating peak-time congestion, the auction would offer fringe benefits by alleviating other problems.

The auction will also offer one of the earliest and one of the latest carousels.

For sellers, auctions offer one prime advantage - speed.

The auction of Rooseveltiana, as serious collectors call it, will offer more than 3,000 items and is expected to fetch $1.2 million to $1.8 million.

For some visitors, the auction offered more than just kitsch collectibles.

The auction, which totaled $26.3 million, offered 57 paintings, of which 19 did not sell.

But the auctions offer opportunities that some may want to reach for.