A New York auction of contemporary photography realised an impressive $6.1m on April 4, 2012 with eight new artist records set.
 Sally Mann's Candy Cigarette |
Sally Mann's Candy Cigarette attracted the most interest in New York, selling for $266,500, an impressive increase of 344% against a pre-sale high estimate of $40,000.
The striking 1951 work comes from Mann's Immediate Family series and shows one of her daughters staring defiantly into the camera with a novelty candy cigarette.
The top-lot of the sale was from Cindy Sherman's Untitled Film Stills (1977-1980). Sherman, one of the few female photographers at the time, focused her collection on moments in the life of an imagines actress and combines elements of both Pop Culture and Feminism.
The piece sold for $626,500 against an estimate of $300,000-$400,000.
Pop Culture related works sold well in the auction, with items from Bert Stern and Andy Warhol achieving well-above their estimates. Seven seductive prints of Marilyn Monroe, reminiscent of those published in her final shoot with Stern, The Last Sitting, sold for £27,500.
The international interest in Marilyn Monroe, already one of the biggest names on the memorabilia market, is set to increase even further as 2012 sees the 50th anniversary of her death. As we've often mentioned, historic anniversaries can significantly raise the value of memorabilia and Monroe is no exception.
Paul Fraser Collectibles also has various Monroe items for sale, including this stunning autographed magazine clipping.
The sale saw a collection of 239 lots for sale, featuring work from masters of 20th century photography as well as world auction firsts from several new artists.
The success of the auction highlights the expanding interest in photography as a medium for investment.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has various rare and unique photographs for sale. Visit our Art & Photography section for a range of opportunities for those looking to invest in this growing medium
