12 original engravings by Pablo Picasso sold for $12,000 at Swann Auction Galleries, New York, on May 9.
Known as "hors-texte" - a printer's term meaning "outside the text" - the 12 etchings were offered in a red leather folding box designed by Jean Duval.
 One of Picasso’s eye-catching black and white etchings |
Although considered in good condition overall, the box did exhibit some signs of age, including a few surface scuffs and portions of uneven fading.
Circa 1968, the black and white engravings were veiled by their original parchment wrappers.
Number 68 of a mere 200 copies, the etchings sold securely within their $10,000-15,000 estimate.
Interest in the work of Pablo Picasso remains enormous. In March 2013, a group of the artist's Madoura pottery auctioned at Sotheby's. The star of the show was a green and white vase, numbered 25/25, which sold for £104,500 ($157,829) - a 202.8% increase on its £35,000 top estimate.
16 colour plates by 20th century French illustrator George Barbier also put in a strong performance at Swann, bringing $10,800, while a rare, illustrated copy of Gedichte und Gesange by German caricaturist George Grosz brought $6,960.
According to Knight Frank's latest Wealth Report, the nine main collectibles markets grew by 175% over the previous decade.
Collections are often amassed for pleasure rather than profit. Yet substantial price increases over recent years suggest we should think about collectibles in terms of investment as well as enjoyment.
Intrigued? We currently have this remarkable Pablo Picasso autographed post card in stock - yours today for just £3,950.
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