Sotheby's - Prints & Multiples

Executive Summary

The Sotheby’s Prints & Multiples auction presented an intricate tableau of collector behavior and market dynamics. With 164 out of 192 lots sold, the auction realized a robust sell-through rate, indicating a healthy interest in this segment. Despite the positive sell-through, the total hammer price was shy of the pre-auction median estimates, which may reflect cautious bidding or a reassessment of the artworks’ values by the market. The significant difference between the hammer price and the total auction value, inclusive of a 26% buyer's premium, underscores the additional costs that collectors are willing to shoulder for desired artworks.