On January 23 and 24, 2025, the renowned auction house Phillips kicked off the new year with an extraordinary auction dedicated to art editions.
With a total of vendite that reached 2.6 million pounds (approximately 3.25 million dollars), the event confirmed the vitality of the editions market and the growing interest from global collectors.
Exceptional results for art editions
The auction recorded an impressive sale rate of 94% by lot and 98% by value, data that testify to a strong demand for accessible but high collectible value artworks.
The participation was global, with bids coming from over 50 countries, demonstrating the continued expansion of the bull market of art editions
The most performing lots at the Phillips auction
Among the highlights of the auction, some lots stand out that have far exceeded expectations:
- Jonas Wood, Four Majors (2018): set a world auction record, sold for 139,700 pounds, more than triple the initial estimate.
- Banksy, Flower Thrower Triptych (Grey) (2019): sold for 120,650 pounds.
- Jasper Johns, Corpse and Mirror (U.L.A.E. 169) (1976): sold for 101,600 pounds.
- Andy Warhol, Chicken ‘N Dumplings, from the series Campbell’s Soup II (1969): it quadrupled the initial estimate, reaching 60,960 pounds.
- Mel Bochner, Amazing (2012): sold for 82,550 pounds.
New auction records by Phillips
The event saw the establishment of new auction records for prominent artists:
- Roy Lichtenstein, The Mask, from the series Brushstroke Figures (1989): reached 30,480 pounds, surpassing the previous record of 27,500 GBP.
- After Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled III, from The Figure Portfolio (1982/2023): sold for 33,020 pounds.
- Ed Ruscha, History Kids, from the series Mountain Prints (2013): set a new record with 60,960 pounds.
The value of textual and iconic works
The auction highlighted the growing interest in textual and iconic artworks, with strong demand for pieces by Ed Ruscha, Harland Miller, and Mel Bochner.
The timeless appeal of limited editions, combined with their accessibility compared to unique works, continues to attract both new buyers and experienced collectors.
Prospects for 2025 for the art editions market
With these encouraging results, Phillips looks forward with optimism to the rest of the year, starting with the next Editions & Works on Paper auction scheduled for February 12 in New York.
The publishing market confirms itself as a dynamic and growing segment, capable of offering opportunities both for those who wish to invest in art and for those who want to enrich their collection with significant works at competitive prices.
The success of the Phillips auction confirms the importance of art editions in the contemporary collecting landscape.
With rising prices, stable demand, and growing international interest, the publishing sector continues to prove itself a solid and exciting investment for collectors and investors.
As expert in digital marketing, Amelia began working in the fintech sector in 2014 after writing her thesis on Bitcoin technology. Previously author for several international crypto-related magazines and CMO at Eidoo. She is now the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Cryptonomist and Econique.
She is also a marketing teacher at Digital Coach in Milan and she published a book about NFTs for the Italian publishing house Mondadori, while she is also helping artists and company to entering in the sector. As advisor, Amelia is also involved in metaverse-related project such as The Nemesis and OVER.
