Press | Phillips

Phillips’ New York Photographs Sales Realize $6.5 Million Across Live and Online-Only Auctions

Spirited Bidding Delivered Exceptional Results for Ansel Adams,

Robert Mapplethorpe, Irving Penn, Cindy Sherman, and More

New York, 4 April 2023

Live Auction Sale Total: $6,417,183 / £5,133,105 / €5,857,605

Lots Sold: 278 | Lots Offered: 311

Sold by Lot: 89% | Sold by Value: 92%

Vanessa Hallett, Deputy Chairwoman, Americas, and Worldwide Head of Photographs, said, “Phillips hosted the first major Photographs auction of the Spring, with results showcasing the enduring strength of the market and global appeal of the category. A bustling saleroom, alongside phone and online participation from all corners of the globe, led to solid prices for works by 20th century masters, as well as emerging photographers. Ansel Adams' Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico from the collection of Peter C. Bunnell led the sale at $381,000, while LaToya Ruby Frazier's Momme (floral comforter) from Notion of Family soared to $25,400, nearly six times the estimate. Works from the Collections of Pierre Apraxine and Rosa and Aaron Esman also saw a great depth of bidding, with fierce competition for works by Man Ray, Irving Penn, Weegee, and Pierre Molinier. In our online sale of Dorothea Lange: The Family Collection, Part Two, a print of Lange’s iconic White Angel Breadline sold for over double its low estimate at $40,640. The passion and connoisseurship of our community is truly extraordinary and it was wonderful to welcome these collectors into our New York galleries for the April exhibition and auction.”

Top Ten Lots

Lot	Description	Estimate	Price Achieved
203	Ansel Adams, Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico, 1941	$150,000 - 250,000	$381,000
18	Robert Mapplethorpe, Man in Polyester Suit, 1980	$200,000 - 300,000	$355,600
177	Irving Penn, Harlequin Dress (Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn), 1950	$200,000 - 300,000	$355,600
81	Cindy Sherman, Untitled #546, 2010	$150,000 - 200,000	$355,600
259	Ansel Adams, Leaves, Mills College, 1931	$30,000 - 50,000	$254,000
209	Diane Arbus, Identical twins, Roselle, N.J., 1966	$150,000 - 250,000	$215,900
167	Margaret Bourke-White, Gargoyle, Chrysler Building, New York City, circa 1930	$80,000 - 120,000	$127,000
188	Cindy Sherman, Untitled #132, 1984	$70,000 - 90,000	$127,000
69	Thomas Struth, Paradise 24, Sao Francisco de Xavier, Brazil, 2001	$60,000 - 80,000	$114,300
87	Peter Beard, Elephants Memory, Marsabit, Kenya N.F.D., 1972	$60,000 - 80,000	$107,950

New Auction Records

Lot	Description	Estimate	Price Achieved
281	Charles Jones, Selected Studies of Vegetables, circa 1900	$8,000 - 12,000	$16,510
	*previous record price: $15,600 set in 2006

*Lots 6 and 16 were sold after the lots closed, whilst the sale was ongoing and are therefore included in the total sale result.

Exchange Rate on 4 April 2023: US$1 = £0.7999, €0.9128, HK$7.8498

ABOUT PHILLIPS

Phillips is a leading global platform for buying and selling 20th and 21st century art and design. With dedicated expertise in the areas of 20th Century and Contemporary Art, Design, Photographs, Editions, Watches, and Jewelry, Phillips offers professional services and advice on all aspects of collecting. Auctions and exhibitions are held at salerooms in New York, London, Geneva, and Hong Kong, while clients are further served through representative offices based throughout Europe, the United States and Asia. Phillips also offers an online auction platform accessible anywhere in the world. In addition to providing selling and buying opportunities through auction, Phillips brokers private sales and offers assistance with appraisals, valuations, and other financial services.

Visit www.phillips.com for further information.

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium; prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium.

PRESS CONTACTS:

NEW YORK – Jaime Israni, Public Relations Director, Americas jisrani@phillips.com

PHILLIPS NEW YORK – 432 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022

PHILLIPS LONDON – 30 Berkeley Square, London, W1J 6EX

PHILLIPS HONG KONG – 14/F St. George’s Building, 2 Ice House Street, Central Hong Kong

05 April 2023

Phillips’ New York Photographs Sales Realize $6.5 Million Across Live and Online-Only Auctions