National Geographic auction brings in $3.7 million

NEW YORK (AP) – A New York auction of photographs and artworks from the archives of the National Geographic Society has brought in more than $3.7 million

Christie's said 185 lots were sold Thursday. It's the first time any of National Geographic's enormous collection was put up for sale.

A photo of an Afghan girl taken by Steve McCurry brought in a world-record auction price for the artist, selling for $178,900. That was far higher than the estimate of $30,000 to $50,000.

An oil painting by Tom Lovell of Gen. Robert E. Lee's Civil War surrender at Appomattox brought in $80,500. The estimate was between $15,000 and $25,000.

Edward S. Curtis’ The North American Indian, Portfolios 1-20 and Volumes 1-20 sold for $902,000, just topping the high estimate.

National Geographic sponsors and funds scientific research and exploration through its official journal, National Geographic Magazine, which reaches 8.8 million people worldwide.

A gelatin silver print titled Iceberg, Antarctica, circa 1911 by Herbert G. Ponting hit $37,500, a world-record auction price for a single print by the artist.

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AP-WF-12-06-12 2142GMT