Bonhams Prints & Multiples sales in New York (5 June 2020) and Los Angeles (14 May 2020) made a total of $2,864,143, with an impressive 85% sold by lot and 94% sold by value in Los Angeles, and 68% sold by lot and 80% sold by value in New York. There were three world records for prints across the two sales.
The top lot of the Los Angeles sale was the screenprint Mick Jagger, from Mick Jagger Portfolio by Andy Warhol, which sold for $93,825, a World Record for this print. The print, which was signed by both Andy Warhol and Mick Jagger, and numbered 7/250, had been estimated at $45,000-65,000.
There was further success for one of Warhol’s celebrity prints in New York, where a Warhol signed lithograph of Elizabeth Taylor, entitled Liz, sold for $75,075 against an estimate of $50,000-70,000. The top lot of the New York sale was Indigo Horizontal by Richard Diebenkorn (1922-1993), which sold for $87,575, a World Record for this print. It had been estimated at $50,000-70,000.
Director of Bonhams Prints & Multiples Department in New York, Deborah Ripley, commented: “We’re really thrilled that these sales achieved such impressive results, particularly given the current global situation. Andy Warhol’s works in particular realised strong prices, in both New York and Los Angeles, while as ever, Bonhams Prints & Multiples sales offered a wide-ranging selection that provided something for all tastes. In these uncertain times, people take comfort in art, and Prints & Multiples sales are thriving.”
Other highlights included:
- Beethoven by Andy Warhol (1928-1987). Sold for $68,825. Los Angeles.
- Mobil, from Ads by Andy Warhol (1928-1987). Sold for $68,825. New York.
- Grand Vase Écossais by Pablo Picasso (1881-1973). Sold for $68,825. Los Angeles.
- Composition I by Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997). Sold for $60,075. New York.
- Jacqueline au chapeau de paille by Pablo Picasso (1881-1973). Sold for $52,575. Los Angeles.
- I Love Liberty by Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997). Sold for $47,575. Los Angeles.
- Face with black nose by Pablo Picasso (1881-1973). Sold for $45,075. Los Angeles.
- Abraham’s Sacrifice by Rembrandt Harmensz Van Rijn (1606-1669). Sold for $40,075. Los Angeles.
- Space Fruit: Still Lifes by Andy Warhol (1928-1987. Sold for $40,075. Los Angeles.
- Small Thin by Richard Diebenkorn (1922-1993). Sold for $37,575. New York. A World Record for this print.
- Sieves by Richard Hamilton (1922 – 2011) and Marcel Duchamp (1887-1968). Sold for $35,075. New York.
Bonhams next Prints & Multiples sale will take place on Thursday 18 June and Friday 19 June in London. Link to catalogue: https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/26024/
