The Shows And Auctions Here is a sampling of antiques shows and special exhibitions and Americana auctions in Manhattan.

Needlework pictures stayed in the spotlight at the Americana auctions in January.

After its last Americana auction, Christie's trumpeted that sales "totaled $6.6 million, well above the pre-sale estimate of $4 million."

In time the show became such a New York institution that Sotheby's and Christie's began scheduling their Americana auctions to coincide with it.

Indeed, the Americana auctions helped to swell Sotheby's worldwide totals for decorative-art sales to $638 million, up from $618 million in 1991.

In fact, Christie's sale on Jan. 19 and 20 brought $14.5 million, the highest total ever achieved for an Americana auction.

Mr. Bourgeault said that he expected at least 800 people to attend the Ginsburg sale and his other Americana auctions scheduled for today and tomorrow.

The Americana auctions are smaller in size than a year ago.

The weekend before, Christie's held a series of Americana auctions in New York, too.

Presale viewing for the Americana auctions at Sotheby's and Christie's begins tomorrow.