Lot #1174: ANDY WARHOL - Myths Suite - Color offset lithographs

                 

Artist: Andy Warhol (American, 1928 - 1987).
Title: "Myths Suite [the complete set of 10 announcement/invitation cards, accompanied by the specification card, in the original printed folder enclosed in the original envelope - a "mini portfolio"]".
Medium: Color offset lithographs.
Date: Composed 1981.
Dimensions: Overall size: (each) 6 7/8 x 6 7/8 in. (175 x 175 mm). Image size: (each) 6 7/8 x 6 7/8 in. (175 x 175 mm).
Lot Note(s): Each signed in black or white marker by Warhol; cover signed by Warhol. Edition unknown, presumed small (250?). Light cream stiff wove paper. Printed to the edge of the sheet. Fine impressions. Very good to fine condition. Literature/catalogue raisonne: Paul Marechal, “Andy Warhol Ephemera…Catalogue Raisonne, 1950-1987.” Lyon, France: Les amis du Musee de l’Imprimerie, 2018, Section 8c, no. 36; cf. Feldman/Schellmann II.258-267. Comment(s): This "mini-portfolio" is unusually scarce and highly sought after, especially since the set of 10 Myths editioned screenprints fetched $1,085,000 at Christie's New York (November 13, 2014, lot #387). Our example, the announcement set, is rarely seen and we could not find a record of a signed set at a “brick and mortar” auction. A signed set was offered for $10,000 by Live Auctioneers, New York City, in July of 2019. An unsigned set sold for $7,000 at Leslie Hindman Inc., Chicago, 5/24/2016, lot #251. A single card ('Superman') from another set sold for $2,375 (including premium) on April 28, 2015, at Doyle New York, lot #197. Each card is identified verso with the title, date, etc. The images in the portfolio are Dracula, Howdy Doody, Mammy, Mickey Mouse, Santa Claus, Superman, The Shadow [Warhol], The Star, The Witch, and Uncle Sam. When the portfolio was released, Ronald Feldman commented "The Myths [that] Warhol presents are well known. Their roots are in ancient beliefs, folklore, allegorical tales, and are based on traditional stories and media creations. They represent fantasies, dreams, hopes and fears. Most of Warhol's myths are derived from photographs he has taken especially for this series." Together with the original envelope, rarely encountered. Printed by Rupert Jasen Smith, New York City. Published by Ronald Feldman Fine Arts, Inc., New York City. Image copyright © Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. [28872] |5000| {R100} (TL3) azzz~rzzz. [28872-3-4000]