The Facts
Phillips' London Editions sales week, held September 17-22, 2026, achieved a combined total of £5,322,798 ($7,122,336), setting 26 world auction records across four sales. The week included the inaugural standalone Modernism auction in London, which nearly doubled its pre-sale estimate with a total of £725,625 and a 95% sell-through rate by lot, setting six records including a new benchmark for Henri Matisse's 'La nageuse dans l'aquarium' at £28,380. The fifth annual David Hockney sale, held in the year of the artist's passing, totalled £2,038,071 with a 97% sell-through rate by lot and 14 records, led by 'Autour de la maison, été' at £193,500. The Editions Evening Sale added £2,054,325, with Andy Warhol's 'Mickey Mouse' from Myths topping at £193,500, while the Online Sale contributed £504,777.
The Signal
The strong results underscore sustained international demand for modern and contemporary editions, particularly for blue-chip names like Picasso, Warhol, and Hockney. The 26 records—spanning Matisse, Picasso, Chagall, Hockney, Fontana, Riley, and Nara—signal that the editions market remains a dynamic entry point for collectors seeking masterworks at accessible price points. The inaugural Modernism auction's performance, nearly doubling estimates, suggests a growing appetite for early 20th-century prints, while the Hockney sale's 97% sell-through rate confirms the artist's enduring market strength posthumously. Phillips' investment in a new London saleroom and upgraded app reflects a broader industry push to enhance client experience and digital accessibility, likely to further fuel competitive bidding.
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- Artists: David Hockney, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Jonas Wood, Banksy, Robert Indiana, Gerhard Richter, Lucio Fontana, Bridget Riley, Yoshitomo Nara, Edvard Munch, Joan Miró
- People: Robert Kennan
- Auction Houses: Phillips
- Locations: London
- Prices: £5,322,798, $7,122,336, £725,625, £2,054,325, £2,038,071, £504,777, £193,500, £180,600, £154,800, £141,900, £116,100, £109,650, £96,750, £70,950, £64,500, £58,050, £54,180, £51,600, £45,150, £33,540, £28,380, £27,090, £27,930, £21,930, £18,060, £12,900, £9,030, £7,095
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