Colourful and collectable prints from the home of a Somerset gentleman are expected to catch bidders’ eyes at auction at Lawrences in Crewkerne on October 13th. All were made between 1965 and about 2003 and there are chances to buy a really distinctive work of `Pop` art for a few hundred pounds.
A signed lithograph by David Hockney of photographer Peter Schlesinger, a friend of Hockney’s for over 50 years, dates from 1976 and is guided at £1000-1500 but a more affordable Hockney print is in the collection and dates from 1997. “Rather surprisingly for a man who is probably Britain’s most famous living artist, this print was available for free in The Independent newspaper in 1997,” explains Lawrences’ specialist, Richard Kay.
“It was included as part of the colour supplement but, importantly, it was intended to exist only in that format. It did not exist at all until the presses rolled to print the newspaper. Of course, many people kept their free Hockney print but, because it was printed on newspaper, most have become torn or badly worn in the last 20 years. This one is in very good condition and can be yours for £150-200.
One print that will not crease is Sir Peter Blake’s `Babe Rainbow` that dates from 1967. This was printed on metal and has survived in remarkably good condition: many get scratched or bent.
This one is signed by Blake himself and comes with a signed photo by Sir Paul McCartney’s daughter, Mary, showing Blake in his studio (estimate £400-600 for the two items).
Amongst further works by artists such as Patrick Caulfield, Gillian Ayres and Sir Terry Frost, there are three works based on designs by Andy Warhol: a lithographic poster entitled `Brillo` commemorates an exhibition in Pasadena in 1970 (£400-600), an image of a Campbell’s soup can was published in 2002 for a show at Tate Modern (£300-500) and a screenprint poster for a film festival in New York in 1967 is quintessential Warhol.
“It is a bright, modern subject that shows a disposable object elevated to high art,” says Richard. This measures 113 x 60cm (44 x 23 ins) and is estimated at £1000-1500. “Our vendor has chosen good subjects that exemplify the artists’ styles and we hope that these 18 lots will sell well,” adds Richard. “Andy Warhol’s prints are not often seen at auction outside London or New York.”
Estimates range from £150 to £1500 and the whole sale can be viewed online from the end of September at www.lawrences.co.uk