Vancouver: Ableauctions.com Inc. announced earlier this year that the client user base for its iCollector operations and services has increased by 75% following key additions to its technology platform. The company expects this sector of its business model to demonstrate significant growth in 2005, and the year certainly got off to a promising start with the company projecting that it would broadcast 50% more live auctions sessions in January 2005 than in December 2004.

iCollector.com is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ableauctions and is the independent connection to the world's auction houses. It was the first company dedicated to trading antiques, fine art and premium collectibles on the internet, and today represents some of the world's leading auction houses. Since January 2001 it has broadcast hundreds of live auctions in real-time on eBay Live Auctions, directly from the salesroom as the auction takes place.

Liveauctioneers, another online auction company linking salesrooms to the eBay live auction module, also reported a strong 2004, with over 1100 auctions of antiques, art and other merchandise valued at more than $33 million selling to online buyers. In a company release it was noted that "the highest price achieved by a work of fine art selling through LiveAuctioneers was $300,000, and the highest-selling furniture lot sold for $171,000. LiveAuctioneers was responsible for a full 60% of the revenue earned by eBay Live Auctions during the year."