Five serious bidders drove the price up to $22.5 million, far above the $15 million estimate.

"I expect at least three or four serious bidders will show up."

There were a number of serious bidders including some Japanese.

Three serious bidders tried to take the sculpture home.

Folk art collectors will be serious bidders, she said, but added that museums might try their luck, too.

Four serious bidders competed for the painting up to the $75 million point.

Several potential buyers made inquiries in 1999, but no serious bidder emerged.

Estimated at $6 million to $8 million, it attracted three serious bidders.

Without him in the frame as a serious bidder she had no real fears that her father would decide to sell.

Another executive with knowledge of the negotiations confirmed that there were two other serious bidders.