New York, NY, USA, April 14, 2023 — Poster Auctions International’s (PAI) first sale of the year, on March 26, finished at $1,841,160. Rare Posters Auction LXXXIX evidenced the continued passion for collecting vintage posters, especially rare and seldom seen lithographs.
Jack Rennert, President of PAI, said, “We are once again humbled by the enthusiasm displayed by our clients at auction. Despite the recent banking insecurity felt around the world, poster lovers were eager to bid on their favorite lots and grow their collections.”
Alphonse Mucha was a major draw for collectors. His 1902 The Stars decorative panels were the top lot of the sale, with a winning bid of $114,000 (est. $70,000-$90,000). Several works by the Belle Époque master hit new record sales, including his 1896 Zodiac, which achieved $28,800 (est. $17,000-$20,000); the 1897 La Trappistine went for $31,200 (est. $20,000-$25,000); the 1896 Lorenzaccio sold for $19,200 (est. $12,000-$15,000); his 1908 Leslie Carter topped out at $20,400 (est. $8,000-$10,000); and his 1912 Sixth Sokol Festival received a top bid of $72,000 (est. $25,000-$30,000). Two original works were highly sought after: his 1900 Printemps: Pocket Watch design well surpassed its estimate of $30,000-$40,000 for a win of $78,000, and an original drawing of his friend Paul Gauguin was secured for $31,200 (est. $15,000-$20,000).
All prices quoted include the buyer’s premium.
Bids were similarly enthused for works by Leonetto Cappiello, the father of modern advertising. Further auction records were broken with his 1902 Pur Champagne / Damery-Epernay, which was won for $5,760 (est. $3,000-$4,000); the 1903 Absinthe Gempp Pernod was secured for $26,400 (est. $14,000-$17,000); and the ebullient 1920 Mistinguett / Casino de Paris secured a winning bid of $20,400 (est. $17,000-$20,000). Two impressive six-sheet billboards also captivated collectors: his 1923 Royat earned a winning bid of $12,000 (est. $10,000-$12,000) and his 1924 Alcool de Menthe Ricqlès went for $15,600 (est. $12,000-$15,000).
Poster Auctions International’s next Rare Posters Auction will be held in New York on July 18, 2023. Consignments are accepted until April 30, 2023. To learn more about PAI, visit www.posterauctions.com.
