A Seller’s Guide To Jean-Michel Basquiat

Basquiat's prints have seen a significant increase in value in recent years, reflecting the broader success of his paintings in the art market. His works are featured in nearly every spring and autumn marquee auction sale, contributing to a positive ripple effect on the value of his prints, which is also driven by the relative low number of prints produced in his lifetime.

Within Basquiat's print market, two prints stand out for commanding the highest prices at auction and showing a significant increase in value since their first appearance. Untitled (1983) was published in a small edition of ten, plus two artist proofs (AP), and has only hit the market five times. Its most recent sale achieved a record price of over £3 million, and it is valued at £2-3 million by MyArtBroker's value indicator.

Basquiat's second highest-valued print, Back Of the Neck, also created in 1983. This screenprint on heavyweight paper was released in a slightly larger edition of 24 and has become increasingly rare on the market currently valued at £700,000 to £1 million. Both of these prints are signed by Basquiat and are the highest valued in the market.

The Anatomy series is the only print series Basquiat produced during his lifetime. Set against black paper with his signature white scribbled markings, a complete set of these works are incredibly rare on the market. Typically offered as single prints or in random groupings of three or four, which can affect their value. A set of three or four of these prints is usually valued at around £100,000 and above on the secondary market.

Currently, there has been a surge of interest in posthumously produced Basquiat prints. These prints, although created after his death, are often authorised by his estate and produced in limited editions based on his most sought-after paintings. On the secondary market, posthumous prints have fetched impressive prices, ranging from £30,000 to £100,000. Signed Basquiat prints are currently valued higher than posthumous prints, although the latter are gaining influence in the market. Many Basquiat signed and unsigned prints are traded on the private market due to their limited availability. At MyArtBroker, we offer free valuations and have a direct network to connect sellers with buyers.

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Ensuring Authenticity of Posthumous Prints

Basquiat's posthumous prints also require careful scrutiny to ensure their authenticity. Each print is released in varied edition numbers and announced randomly by the estate. Verifying the creation date and edition numbers of these prints is crucial. These prints are based on Basquiat's highest-value paintings, so ensuring that the imagery matches is also essential.

When Gerard Basquiat passed away in 2009, ownership of the estate transferred to Basquiat's aunts, Lisane Basquiat and Jeanine Heriveaux. Posthumous prints will be signed by either Gerard or Basquiat's two aunts. It is also important to verify the publisher of the print, as editions were published in collaboration with various resources. Authentic prints can often be traced back to these galleries, providing a clear chain of custody that supports their legitimacy. Engaging with recognised experts and established art dealers can provide additional assurance in the authentication process.

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Most of Basquiat’s prints are published on high-quality paper. His Anatomy series, created when the artist was just 22 years old, is printed on Arches wove paper – a high-quality, heavy paper favoured by artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Claude Monet, and Francis Bacon. Although this paper is less vulnerable to damage, it can still be susceptible to scratches, tears, warping, or fading.

Posthumous editions published by Basquiat’s estate are printed on Saunders watercolour paper – another heavy, top-quality paper ideal for screenprinting. Despite most of these editions being produced recently, it is crucial to keep them in pristine condition before selling. Anything less than perfect condition can negatively impact the artwork's value. MyArtBroker experts can help you assess the condition of your Basquiat print. For more information, refer to our guide on restoring and caring for modern and contemporary prints.

At MyArtBroker, our specialists provide a free market valuation for your artwork, offering a level of transparency unmatched in today’s market. In addition to our valuations, through our online Trading Floor, you can access real-time insights into works by the artist you’re looking to sell, including pieces that are most in demand, wanted, or currently for sale: allowing sellers to trust the valuation that they are provided.

Additionally, the MyPortfolio collection management service grants you free access to our comprehensive print market database. This resource allows you to review auction histories for the specific work you’re looking to sell, including hammer prices, values paid, and seller returns. In a fluctuating market, this historical data is invaluable - and often comes at a cost elsewhere - offering insights into past and current values to further inform decisions based on market timing and conditions. In addition to our specialists guidance, you have concrete data.

Our approach is tailored to align with the unique attributes of each artwork, and offer optimal results:

How a Private Sale Works

Unlike peer-to-peer platforms, which lack specialised expertise, authenticity guarantees, and legal infrastructure for high-value sales, MyArtBroker operates through private sales ensuring a secure and seamless transaction process. We charge sellers 0% to sell, and take a small commission from our buyers, absorbing essential aspects including insurance, shipping, and marketing - at no extra cost to the seller. There is no magic to it, we’re a lean specialised business with less overheads than traditional models meaning we can do better for our clients.

Our revenue is derived from buyer commissions only, which are individually negotiated upon offer, and we aim to give the client the best return in the market place. By focusing on high-value artworks in excess of £10,000, we provide specialised care and expertise, ensuring each piece receives the attention it deserves, while simultaneously maximising returns with our clients. For works that fall below this threshold speak to the team about a recommendation, we offer market advisory free of charge. Our goal at MyArtBroker is to offer a seamless solution, setting us apart in the art market.

Advisory and Recommendations

In cases for artists and artworks, where our existing network of collectors isn’t the best fit due to value, medium or condition we collaborate with reputable partners to facilitate its sale. Carefully tailoring your artwork to the right party. This tailored approach is especially important as it considers the unique attributes of each artwork, providing sellers with the best possible outcome in today’s shifting art market. You can discuss this approach with us without charge as part of our advisory service.

Such recommendations are on a case-by-case basis, and ensures broader exposure and takes advantage of our knowledge of where a work will do best.

A Personalised Experience with Dedicated Experts

Selling your Basquiat print with MyArtBroker offers a range of benefits tailored to your needs. Our platform provides a personalised experience, guiding you through every step of the selling process to meet your specific goals. Our team of experts offers free, no-obligation valuations, ensuring you have an accurate understanding of your print’s market value. With deep knowledge of Basquiat's work and the broader art market, we deliver precise and insightful assessments.

Minimising Risk

At MyArtBroker, transparency and security are our top priorities when selling your artwork. Our live Trading Floor offers real-time market data and insights, keeping you updated on current trends and conditions. We conduct thorough due diligence to verify the authenticity and provenance of your piece, minimising the risks of counterfeit trading. By leveraging our internal expertise and collaborating with trusted external partners, we further reduce these risks.

We avoid the uncertainties of public auction sales, such as unsold items affecting value and market perception, by facilitating private sales for faster liquidity outside auction seasons.

Zero Seller Fees

Unlike traditional auction houses and private dealers, we do not charge seller fees, ensuring you retain the maximum proceeds from your sale. Our approach, combined with strategic marketing, enhances your selling experience. We specialise in rare and special edition prints, catering to both seasoned collectors and new buyers. We provide free valuations and prioritise digital innovation and targeted marketing through our extensive network and in-house magazine.

Access to a Vast Network

With a network of over 30,000 collectors actively buying and selling prints, MyArtBroker can quickly connect your Basquiat print with serious and interested buyers, maximising your chances of a successful and profitable sale.

Utilise MyPortfolio for Jean-Michel Basquiat Collection Management

MyArtBroker's MyPortfolio is an advanced collection management tool designed to assist collectors in managing and monitoring their Basquiat prints and editions while tracking their current market values. This feature provides access to a comprehensive print market database, encompassing over 50,000 auction histories from global auction houses, integrated with our proprietary algorithm, SingularityX. This cutting-edge algorithm analyses public auction and private sales data to deliver real-time valuations for individual prints, taking into account factors such as condition, colour, and other variables influencing value. Financial quant expert Stuart Jamieson discusses the workings of these algorithms in an insightful interview.

Advanced Art Technology for Smart Collecting

In today’s dynamic digital art market, advanced art technology tools are essential for collectors and industry professionals. By incorporating Basquiat prints into the MyPortfolio dashboard, users can monitor unique sales opportunities and track market performance in real-time, making the sales process more efficient. Our innovative technology has revolutionised art portfolio management, enhancing accessibility and providing data-driven insights for informed decision-making.

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Determine the Value of Your Basquiat Print

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