White Glove Results for Editions I: David Hockney; Sterling Result for The Largest Jean Cocteau Collection, doubling its pre-sale estimates.
London – Bonhams presented an exceptional day of sales dedicated to Prints & Multiples at New Bond Street on 23 June 2026, achieving an extraordinary total of $2,278,475 (£1,731,180) with several world auction records. These sales brought together a showcase of the breadth, innovation and enduring appeal of printmaking and editioned works. From an incredible single-owner collection of over 130 works by Jean Cocteau, to a celebration of editions by David Hockney as a part of Editions I & II: David Hockney | Fine Prints & Multiples, the day highlighted work by some of the most influential artists of the modern and contemporary eras.
Carolin von Massenbach, Head of Department, Prints and Multiples commented: "The strong results achieved across these sales underscore the continued depth and resilience of the market for prints and multiples. From the outstanding single-owner collection of Jean Cocteau ceramics to the enduring appeal and legacy of David Hockney's innovative work, and a journey through the best of printmaking in the Fine Prints sale, we saw exceptional engagement from collectors worldwide. The breadth of material on offer - spanning iconic names and rare, high-quality works - demonstrates the lasting significance of editioned art and its ability to attract both seasoned and new collectors alike."
An Important Collection of Ceramics by Jean Cocteau: The Gary Morris Collection
Live Sale | 23 June 2026
Bonhams offered An Important Collection of Ceramics by Jean Cocteau: The Gary Morris Collection, a rare and focused group of over 130 works by the celebrated French polymath. The sale saw great interest from collectors, with results showing sold by lot 97.12% and sold by value 100.00%. The sale amassed a total of £595,712, more than double the pre-sale estimates. Executed in collaboration with Atelier Madeline-Jolly between 1957 and 1963, these ceramics exemplify Cocteau's distinctive graphic line and mythological imagination translated into three-dimensional form.
Passionate Collector of Jean Cocteau, Gary Morris commented: "My passion for Cocteau began in the early 1990's. I met my partner in 1993, & he had an apartment in Paris, in rue de Verneuil, where we would weekend a couple of times every month. Not far from the flat, on the rue du Seine, I discovered a gallery full of Cocteau works in all styles. I spent many hours every month going through the piles of artworks. The enduring theme of mythological heroes, angels, fauns & faces drawn with elegance, sophistication & simplicity have always attracted me to Cocteau's works. I hope whoever buys any of these pieces, will be in awe of Cocteau's brilliance as I am."
Highlights included:
• Jean Cocteau (1889–1963), Le Satiricon
The complete set of seven partially glazed earthenware plates and bowls with polychrome enamel and oxide crayon decoration, each signed and inscribed, from editions of 15. Estimated at £20,000 – 30,000, sold for £44,800.
• Jean Cocteau (1889–1963), Séléné (l'œil de la nuit)
White earthenware plate with blue-grey engobe and white enamel and oxide crayon, conceived in 1959 and executed in an edition of 35. Estimated at £3,000 –5,000, sold for £15,360.
• Jean Cocteau (1889–1963), Chêvre-pieds jumeaux
A partially glazed pink earthenware bowl with white engobe and black enamel, signed and dated 1958, from an edition of 35. Estimated at £5,000 – 7,000, sold for £11,520.
Editions I: David Hockney
Live Sale | 23 June 2026
Following the success of last year's dedicated David Hockney sale, where several world auction records were achieved, Bonhams presented the second iteration of David Hockney, non-surprisingly achieving a white glove result. The sale celebrated Hockney's ground-breaking print practice, looking back at his lifetime accomplishments after his recent passing.
Highlights included:
• David Hockney R.A. (British, 1937-2026), Artist and Model
Etching and soft-ground etching, 1973–74, artist's proof aside from the edition of 100, printed by Atelier Crommelynk, Paris. Estimated at £35,000 – 50,000, sold for £44,800.
• David Hockney R.A. (British, 1937-2026), Untitled 346, from A Bigger Book: Art Edition B
iPad drawing in colours, 2010/2016, with original portfolio, signed book and Marc Newson stand. Estimated at £25,000 – 35,000, sold for £40,960.
• David Hockney R.A. (British, 1937-2026), Horizontal Dogs
Etching and aquatint in colours, 1995, an artist's proof aside from the numbered edition of 80, printed by Maurice Payne, Los Angeles. Estimated at £20,000 – 30,000, sold for £53,740.
Editions II: Fine Prints & Multiples
Live Sale | 23 June 2026
Spanning more than several centuries, Fine Prints & Multiples traced the evolution of printmaking from its early origins to the present day. The sale brought together a carefully curated selection reflecting both the technical sophistication of the medium and its enduring cultural resonance.
Highlights included:
• Andy Warhol (American, 1928 – 1987) Moonwalk
Screenprint in colours, 1987, on Lenox Museum Board, with the artist's printed signature, numbered 4/160.
Estimated at £150,000 - £250,000, sold for £159,150.
• Pablo Picasso (1881–1973), Minotaure caressant une Dormeuse
Drypoint, 1933, from La Suite Vollard, signed and from the edition of 260. Estimated at £40,000 – 60,000, sold for £51,200.
• Lucian Freud (1922–2011), The Painter's Garden
Etching, 2003–04, signed and numbered, edition of 46. Estimated at £20,000 – 30,000, sold for £21,760.