Phillips de Pury & Company’s photographs sale on April 9, comprising 260 lots, sold 94.5 percent by value and 90.4 percent by lot, totaling $5,802,250.
The inaugural photographs auction day was launched with an insightful photographs aficionado class, followed by chief auctioneer Simon de Pury’s conducting of an auction that was successful in attracting more than 400 clients and enhanced by the opportunity to receive an individual digital portrait by contemporary fashion and entertainment photographer Sophie Elgort. Collectively, the series of events generated a strong and unmistakable buzz across the photographs world.
“I am thrilled with the results of our inaugural photography sale on Park Avenue, which allowed us to achieve an excellent total and to break many records,” said de Pury.
“We are tremendously excited with the results that reflect our dedication to offer the best in classic and contemporary photographs. We broke a great number of world auction records for emerging and established photographers, which speak of sellers’ confidence in offering top-quality works, as well as buyers’ confidence in aggressively pursuing them. These results are a testament to our commitment to the field of photographs,” said Vanessa Kramer, worldwide director, photographs.
Cindy Sherman’s untitled #278, 1993, exemplifying the photographer’s poignant critiques of the fashion industry, was the sale’s top lot, selling for $242,500. It was followed by Desiree Dolron’s “Xteriors VI” at $194,500 and Robert Frank’s “Café-Beaufort, South Carolina,” which brought $182,500.
Irving Penn’s “Miles Davis hand and trumpet, New York, July 1” realized $122,500, while Peter Beard’s “Tsavo North on the Athi Tiva, circa 150 lbs.‱60 lbs. side Bull Elephant, February” went out at $120,100.
One of the most revered images in classic fashion photography †Irving Penn’s “Woman in Palace (Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn) Marrakech, Morocco,” 1951, which commemorates the most dynamic fashion duo of its era, sold for $112,900.
Rounding out the sale’s top ten lots were Robert Mapplethorpe, “Flag,” $110,500; David Hockney, “Walking in the Zen Garden at the Ryoanji Temple, Kyoto, Feb 21st,” $108,100; Robert Frank, “Paris New Year (Young Man with Tulip),” $104,500; and Florian Maier-Aichen, untitled, $104,500.
Prices reported include the buyer’s premium. For information, 212-940-1200 or www.phillipsdepury.com .
