2006 Spring Photo Auctions - My Contemporary Picks

The spring photo auctions descend on NYC next week.  I've pored through the catalogs and picked my top contemporary (post 1970) lots.  I do the work so you don't have to!

Sotheby's
Sotheby's has a decidedly non-contemporary sale: only 10 or 20% of the lots were created after 1970 and from those pieces there are only two worth considering:
Joe Sternfeld's Mclean, Virginia  Estimated at $12-$18K, this is one of Sternfeld's iconic images and  the estimate is in line with Sternfelds retail prices. There's another example for sale at Christie's here estimated at $20-$30K.
Peter Beard's Maureen Gallagher... Estimate $70-$100K.  This piece sold last year for just under $100K so I expect a final price in excess of the high estimate.

Christie's
Christie's is having an evening sale this year - okay its at 5pm so lets call it a late afternoon sale - which features the cream of their crop.  There's lots to like (and not all in the evening sale):
William Eggleston's Morton Mississippi estimated at $40-$60K.  Christie's has several very good Egglestons for sale.  This one is probably the best.  The price may reach $100K.
Richard Misrach's Hale-Bopp... estimated at $18-$22K - Misrach's sky pictures are among his most conceptually compelling.  It will be interesting to see if the estimate holds up though.
Nic Nicosia's Real Pictures #11 estimated at $2-$3K. Not a famous photographer, but arguably his most famous picture.
Thomas Joshua Cooper's Border Crossings  estimated at $1500-$2K for two prints...yeah right.  If these sell for a penny less than $5K I'll be surprised.
John Coplans' Self Portrait  estimated at $18-$22K.  Easily the best of his "Body" series.  Plus, its a photo of a man's hairy back.  Who doesn't love that?
Carrie Mae Weems From Here... estimated at $4-$6K.  A beautiful, complex and politically pointed image from one of the most underrated artists working today.
Stan Douglas' Michigan Theater Balcony estimated at $1500-$2K.  Please see Thomas Joshua Cooper, above.
Rosemary Laing Flight Research #5 estimated at $4-$6K.  Who knows where her career will wind up, this is still a supa-fly image.

Phillip's

William Eggleston's Near Minter City.. estimated at $20-$30K. Not a vintage print but it will still sell for at least $40K.
Andreas Gursky's Syring estimated at $8-$12K.  Not mega-sized but still an "A" image and one of my favorite Gursky's.
Candida Hofer's Museum für Angewandte... estimated at $4-$6K.  Although I can't necessarily describe what makes a Hofer "right", this is one of those "right" ones.
Vanessa Beecroft's VB42 estimated at $20-$30K. Someone puuuhhhleeeese buy this for me. 
Philip-Lorca Dicorcia's Brian estimated at $25-$35K. one of the great images by one of the great photographers of our time.

If you have a picture to add, leave a comment and I'll add it.

I'll post an update on my picks after the auctions end.

Comments

[Steve Roach]

Great Post, Erik. I'm looking forward to the April buy of the month! :)

[Daniel Cooney]

Hey!

You forgot my auction which features much more accessible material with conservative estimates and reserves. Take a look!

www.iGavel.com

Thanks,

Dan

[Mike]

Hey Those were all great picks!

Plus You were 100% correct..

At Christies yesterday.. TJ Cooper, Stan Douglas, and the Rosemary Laing lots all blew clear through those lame-ass pre-sale est's!

But sorry Eric!! At Phillips.. there's no way the Chelsea-Boyz let that VB42 sailor shot leave NYC! LOL!

[Billbob]

Were you that "internet bidder" that got the Gursky @ Philips for I think it was $6500! Well below the low estimate! That was a nice deal.