[drcy]

There's a lot more interest, knowledge and collectors of news photos than there were eve 15 years ago, and finds and big sales like this likely contribute.

Highest example qualities (rarity, clarity, subject, poses, artistry, size, famous images, etc) will always be in high demand and limited.

I suspect there may be lowering of dime a dozen photos and certain subjects where tons more examples are found (which can be good for collectors on normal budgets), but rising in value of the primo examples due to the larger and more experienced collector base. When there are more photos available, the collector has to be more discerning.

I'm certain the single photos Yee picks out for his auctions are cherry picked as the primo examples from piles and piles and aisles and aisles of photos (see Leon's picture). He's offering the best he finds.