3 min read · 16 Aug 2024
At the Beach, from Surrealist Series by Roy Lichtenstein sold for $30,700. Image courtesy of Bonhams
A work by Roy Lichtenstein was the headline sale at Bonhams 'Prints & Multiples Summer Splash' auction on August 14.
The star lot was: Roy Lichtenstein, At the Beach, from Surrealist Series (1978), which sold for $30,700, 22% above its $25,000 low estimate.
The outperformer sold for 719% above its low estimate. Bernard Buffet, Empire State Building (1959), sold for $4,096 ($500 low estimate).
Breakdown of results against auction house estimates that are disclosed
No sales had a guarantee.
117 works were bought-in, including: Jenna Gribbon, Glaring Shade (2023), estimated at $20,000 (low) to $25,000 (high).
1 work was withdrawn before the sale: Ellsworth Kelly, Green White (1970) estimated at $3,000 (low) to $5,000 (high).
All results include the fees and premiums added to the price of a work of art when the auctioneer's hammer falls. Sale prices are compared to the auction house’s low estimate, which do not include premiums.
Guarantees: Sometimes an auction house guarantees to pay a seller for a work, regardless of whether the bidding reaches the reserve price, a figure that is typically confidential.
Bought-in: If there are no bids for a work, or if bidding falls short of the reserve price, the lot is unsold or “bought-in”.
Withdrawn: This happens when a seller decides, for whatever reason, to withdraw a work before the bidding begins.
Premiums: Typically a sliding-scale of charges paid in addition to the hammer price by the buyer, plus any other fees.