New York, 18 March 2025 - Phillips' sale of Color Vision: Masterworks by William Eggleston from Guy Stricherz & Irene Malli realized $5,665,950 (£4,358,177 / €5,178,080) in a white glove sale that found buyers for every lot offered, a 100 percent sell-through. The auction set new world records for the American photographer William Eggleston, including the highest price achieved for a dye transfer print by the artist, and was led by Los Alamos, the celebrated portfolio of 101 prints, which sold for $1,875,000.
Vanessa Hallett, Deputy Chairwoman and Worldwide Head of Photographs, called it "an honor to have been entrusted with the sale of these master prints of William Eggleston's most brilliant and recognizable photographs." She credited Guy Stricherz and Irene Malli, who "through their unparalleled expertise in the dye transfer process, have elevated and preserved the enduring appeal of Eggleston's images," and observed that "the exceptional results of today's white glove sale reflect the extraordinary quality and significance of their definitive prints, resonating with collectors from around the globe."
The leading lots
Los Alamos (1965 to 1974), the portfolio of 101 prints, anchored the sale at $1,875,000 and established a new world auction record for the artist. Among the individual images, Memphis (tricycle) (1970) realized $508,000, while Untitled (Peaches!) (1973) soared to over three times its low estimate at $482,600. Greenwood, Mississippi (red ceiling) (1973) followed at $431,800, and both Memphis (supermarket boy with carts) (1965) and Untitled (Biloxi, Mississippi) (circa 1974) brought $215,900 each. Further depth came from Memphis, Tennessee (Marcia Hare) (circa 1974) at $203,200 and Memphis, Tennessee (Karen Chatham, left, with the artist's cousin Lesa Aldridge) (1974) at $165,100.
New auction records for the Magnificent Seven
Auction records were set for many of Eggleston's Magnificent Seven. Untitled (Peaches!) achieved a world auction record for the image at $482,600, surpassing the previous record of $242,500 set in 2012. Memphis (tricycle) set the world auction record for a dye transfer print by the artist at $508,000, ahead of the previous record of $365,000 set in 2015. Memphis (supermarket boy with carts) took a world auction record for the image at $215,900, well above the $81,250 set in 2021, and Untitled (Biloxi, Mississippi) set a world auction record for the image at $215,900, surpassing the $98,500 set in 2010. Greenwood, Mississippi (red ceiling) set a world auction record for the image at $431,800, beyond the $386,500 set in 2012, while Los Alamos set the world auction record for the artist at $1,875,000, eclipsing the $1,441,500 set in 2024.
Reflecting on the response, Hallett noted that "auction records were set for many of Eggleston's Magnificent Seven, with Untitled (tricycle) realizing $508,000 and Untitled (Peaches!) soaring to over three times its low estimate at $482,600. It was wonderful to see such enthusiasm for this landmark sale, and we look forward to celebrating more of Guy and Irene's contributions to the field with the next sale of their prints this June."
Top ten lots
| Lot | Artist and work | Estimate | Price achieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | William Eggleston, Los Alamos (101 prints), 1965 to 1974 | $2,000,000 to $3,000,000 | $1,875,000 |
| 8 | William Eggleston, Memphis (tricycle), 1970 | $300,000 to $500,000 | $508,000 |
| 3 | William Eggleston, Untitled (Peaches!), 1973 | $150,000 to $250,000 | $482,600 |
| 15 | William Eggleston, Greenwood, Mississippi (red ceiling), 1973 | $250,000 to $350,000 | $431,800 |
| 11 | William Eggleston, Memphis (supermarket boy with carts), 1965 | $70,000 to $90,000 | $215,900 |
| 17 | William Eggleston, Untitled (Biloxi, Mississippi), circa 1974 | $100,000 to $150,000 | $215,900 |
| 9 | William Eggleston, Memphis, Tennessee (Marcia Hare), circa 1974 | $50,000 to $70,000 | $203,200 |
| 2 | William Eggleston, Memphis, Tennessee (Karen Chatham, left, with the artist's cousin Lesa Aldridge), 1974 | $40,000 to $60,000 | $165,100 |
| 24 | William Eggleston, Dust Bells Volume Two, 1965 to 1974 | $80,000 to $120,000 | $139,700 |
| 10 | William Eggleston, Untitled (near Minter City and Glendora, Mississippi), 1970 | $70,000 to $90,000 | $88,900 |
The sale forms part of a wider celebration of Stricherz and Malli's work, with a further selection of their prints set to be offered by Phillips this June. As a leading global platform for buying and selling 20th and 21st century works, Phillips offers dedicated expertise across Modern and Contemporary Art, Design, Photographs, Editions, Watches, and Jewels, with principal auctions held in New York, London, Geneva, and Hong Kong.
Estimates do not include buyer's premium; prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer's premium. Exchange rate on 18 March 2025: US$1 = £0.7713, €0.9161, HK$7.770.
(Press Release)
