Press | Phillips

Phillips’ Photographs Auction Realizes $5.4 Million,

Led by Robert Frank and William Eggleston

New Auction Records Set for

Alec Soth, Todd Webb, Dinh Q. Lê, and Tokihiro Sato

New York, 8 April 2021

Sale Total: $5,412,078/ £3,943,094/ €4,542,886

Lots Sold: 207 | Lots Offered: 254

Sold by Lot: 81% | Sold by Value: 87%

Vanessa Hallett, Deputy Chairwoman and Worldwide Head of Photographs, said, “The market for photography remains strong across the globe and we were pleased to see participation from over 40 countries in today’s auction, a testament to the power of Phillips’ digital platform, which has allowed us to engage with our community of collectors in unprecedented ways. There was strong international bidding for work by Robert Frank and William Eggleston, leading to a new record price of $226,800 for William Eggleston’s Graceland, his portfolio of eleven dye-transfer prints that so rarely comes to market as a complete set. There was enthusiasm for important works across all genres, with Richard Avedon’s Dovima with Elephants realizing $189,000 and Vik Muniz’s Three Flags achieving $163,800.”

Christopher Mahoney, Senior International Specialist, added, “Today’s stellar results for the work of Robert Frank prove the continued relevance of his vision, and his enduring appeal to collectors of fine photography. Leading the auction was Frank’s Trolley – New Orleans, the cover of his seminal 1959 book, The Americans, which sold today for a remarkable $403,200 against a low estimate of $150,000.”

Top Ten Lots

Lot	Description	Estimate	Price Achieved
27	Robert Frank, Trolley – New Orleans, 1955	$150,000 - 250,000	$403,200 £293,530/€338,365
67	William Eggleston, William Eggleston's Graceland, 1984 World Auction Record for this Portfolio	$180,000 - 280,000	$226,800 £165,110/€190,331
21	Richard Avedon, Dovima with elephants, Evening dress by Dior, Cirque d’Hiver, Paris, August, 1955	$150,000 - 250,000	$189,000 £137,592/€158,609
89	Vik Muniz, Three Flags, after Jasper Johns from Pictures of Magazines 2, 2014	$30,000 - 50,000	$163,800 £119,246/€137,461
17	Robert Frank, Parade – Hoboken, New Jersey, 1955	$80,000 - 120,000	$138,600 £100,901/€116,313
34	Hiroshi Sugimoto, World Trade Center, 1997	$60,000 - 80,000	$126,000 £91,728/€105,739
97	Alec Soth, Charles, Vasa, Minnesota, 2002 World Auction Record for the Artist	$30,000 - 50,000	$113,400 £82,555/€95,165
113	Hiroshi Sugimoto, Lightning Fields 236, 2009	$40,000 - 60,000	$113,400 £82,555/€95,165
14	Robert Frank, U. S. 90, En Route to Del Rio, Texas, 1955	$100,000 - 150,000	$113,400 £82,555/€95,165
70	William Eggleston, Sumner, Mississippi, 1970	$70,000 - 90,000	$107,100 £77,969/€89,878

New Auction Records

Lot	Description	Estimate	Price Achieved
25	Todd Webb, Sixth Avenue between 43rd and 44th Streets, New York, 1948	$25,000 - 35,000	$37,800 £27,518/€31,722
	*previous record price: $21,250 set in 2014
97	Alec Soth, Charles, Vasa, Minnesota, 2002	$30,000 - 50,000	$113,400 £82,555/€95,165
	*previous record price: $75,000 set in 2020
101	Dinh Q. Lê, Untitled (helicopter, Apocalypse Now, prayers), 2000	$15,000 - 25,000	$63,000 £45,864/€52,870
	*previous record price: $34,375 set in 2014
166	Tokihiro Sato, #389 Kamaiso, 1999	$7,000 - 9,000	$10,080 £7,338/€8,459
	*previous record price: $8,125 set in 2015
67	William Eggleston, William Eggleston's Graceland, 1984 World Auction Record for this Portfolio	$180,000 - 280,000	$226,800 £165,110/€190,331
	*previous record price: $197,000 set in 2013

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 buyer's premium and are reported net of applicable fees.

Phillips is not responsible for typographical errors or omissions.

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NEW YORK – Jaime Israni, Public Relations Director, Americas jisrani@phillips.com +1 212 940 1398

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08 April 2021

Phillips’ Photographs Auction Realizes $5.4 Million, Led by Robert Frank and William Eggleston