According to a new report by CNBC, major auction houses have racked up nearly $10 billion in sales in the first half of this year, marking one of the strongest-ever starts to the year, driven by the AI boom. Sotheby’s reports its best first half ever, with $4.4 billion in sales, up 58% from last year, while Christie’s had its best first half since 2021, reporting sales of $4.5 billion, up 71%. The wealthy, at least the top 10 percent, control over 80% of stock market wealth and have gained confidence from soaring stock markets fueled by the AI boom. Items like fine art, classic cars, watches, handbags, whiskey, diamonds and dinosaur bones are seeing new records at auctions. Sotheby’s sold a 67 million-year-old T. Rex skeleton named “Gus” this month for a record $50 million. Additionally, a painting by artist Jackson Pollock recently sold for $181 million and an F.P. Journe wristwatch went for $14 million.