Liu Jiyou(1918-83)'s three comic sets, Wu Song Da Hu (Wu Song Beats the Tiger). Photos provided to China Daily

Considered a market barometer at the beginning of a year, China Guardian Auctions' quarterly sales registered a total of 252 million yuan ($40.56 million) for its 37th session, motivated by buyers' growing recognition of the private collections on offer.

The four-day sales in Beijing presented several private collections of Chinese paintings and calligraphy from home and abroad. Highlights included works by artists including Zheng Banqiao (1693-1765), Zhang Daqian (Chang Dai-chien, 1899-1983) and Fan Zeng.

The auction house also held a sale of comic book manuscripts for the first time, featuring classic works by established painters, with all 105 sets sold. Liu Jiyou(1918-83)'s three comic sets, Wu Song Da Hu (Wu Song Beats the Tiger), Li Kui the Black Whirlwind (Hei Xuan Feng Li Kui) and Endless Stories, fetched the top three prices.