A Seller’s Guide To STIK

STIK's editioned multiples are a good starting point and can be bought at accessible prices – many collectors aim to acquire all colourways of one multiple, then one can trade up to the more sought after limited, or unique prints as you become more familiar with his catalogue and your appetite for the work.

The price of STIK’s art on the secondary market can be affected by numerous factors, such as whether it is an original work, one of his editioned prints or a poster. An original artwork can sell for as much as six-figure sums – his bronze sculpture Holding Hands (Maquette) achieved a record-breaking £287,500 at Christie’s in October 2020.

STIK’s top editions can fetch five-figures sums for a single edition or six-figures for a full portfolio. A single artist proof of Lovers (Orange) sold for £35,000 – almost three times its high estimate – in September 2019. Meanwhile, an edition of Sleeping Baby (NHS Blue) sold for £30,000 against an estimate of just £5,000-7,000 in March 2020.

STIK has published many of his editions in numerous colourways. A complete set of a series normally has a higher value than individual works. Liberty, from 2013, is available in five colours (yellow, red, orange, blue and aqua) – a single print in the Liberty series sold for £18,812 in June 2020, but a set of five Liberty prints, including artist’s proofs, fetched up to £200,000 in September 2019 – nearly ten times the price of the individual print.

In addition to the sanctioned limited editions are artist’s proofs and printer’s proof of any main colour series. These artist’s and printer’s proofs (marked A/P, P/P) command slightly lower prices as they are trial runs to test out the inks. To give you an idea of price variation, two orange single prints of Liberty sold in 2019, one artist proof in Christie’s New York realised $13,750, numbered “AP 5/5”. One from the main run, numbered “11/25”, sold in London for £16,250.

The ultra-rares are the gold dust of the artist’s print output. Often STIK will add to the collecting treasure hunt by producing one-off special edition prints in distinctive precious inks, such as the ultra-rare copper version of Liberty, 2013, or the mother-of-pearl dust Onbu, 2013. These works are often gifted by the artist to private individuals and end up on wider market where they command high prices – particularly from collectors who have all the other colours in the set.

STIK’s prints can be signed and unsigned, and most do not come with certificates of authenticity. The exception is the digital print Dancer, which was made in a signed edition of 250 (with 10 artist’s proofs) for the Q music awards in 2011 and given to nominees – including Adele, Ed Sheeran and Tinie Tempah. This series includes the artist’s signature and edition number written in pencil, as well as a blindstamp of the publisher, Squarity. The majority of his other prints, however, are not so extensively labelled.

If STIK has signed his print, the signature is often written in pencil or pen on the lower edge of the paper, but can also be on the reverse. Whether your print is signed or unsigned, specialists at MyArtBroker can help confirm the authenticity of your STIK print.

STIK’s editions have been printed on a variety of different paper, and some are more vulnerable to damage than others. The Big Issue series was printed on thin wove paper so that they could be folded inside the magazines, whereas the Liberty series was printed on strong, high-quality Somerset wove paper.

To get the best price for your STIK print, the artwork should be in as pristine condition as possible. Anything less than perfect condition will have a negative impact on its value. Inspect your work carefully for scratches and tears, warping in the paper due to humidity, or fading from light damage. MyArtBroker experts can help you assess the condition of your STIK print and if restoration is required – contact us now to discuss.

Interest in STIK’s art usually rises when he is in the news. His bronze sculpture Holding Hands (Maquette) sold for a record-breaking £287,500 just weeks after his public art piece Holding Hands was unveiled in Hoxton Square. Likewise, the artist’s smaller spray-painting of Big Mother made an auction record price in 2018, around the same time as the demolition of his huge, 125ft Big Mother mural in West London. MyArtBroker specialists keep a close eye on art market trends and can advise you on the best time to offer your STIK artwork.

Read our cohesive report to navigate the art market as a seller: A Guide to Selling Prints in the Current Market.

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.