Andy Warhol Myths For Sale

Andy Warhol: Myths

Series Performance & Market Position

The Myths portfolio occupies a distinctive position within Warhol's print market, commanding strong collector interest while remaining accessible compared to the artist's flagship series. With Guy Hepner having facilitated 478 Warhol transactions totalling over $51 million across 292 collectors, we've observed sustained demand for these diamond dust screenprints, particularly among buyers seeking recognisable imagery with proven secondary market liquidity.

Recent auction results demonstrate healthy price appreciation across the portfolio. Mickey Mouse F.S. II 265 achieved USD 201,600 at auction in October 2022, while a subsequent sale in March 2024 realised JPY 333,500, reflecting continued international appetite. The Star F.S. II 258 has shown consistent performance, selling for AUD 96,000 in November 2007 and GBP 50,800 in June 2024. Uncle Sam F.S. II 259 maintains steady trading, with results of USD 40,640 in June 2024 and USD 38,100 in October 2023.

These figures should be contextualised against Warhol's broader market strength. Shot Sage Blue Marilyn achieved $195,040,000 at Christie's in May 2022—the highest price ever paid for a twentieth-century artwork at auction. More recently, Mao F.S. II.96 and II.97 each reached $4,648,000 at Christie's in May 2025, while Flowers examples sold for $4,076,000 and $3,832,000 at Sotheby's that same month. The Myths series offers collectors entry into Warhol's mature print production at a fraction of these benchmark prices.

Technical & Historical Context

Published in 1981 by Ronald Feldman Fine Arts, New York, the Myths portfolio comprises ten screenprints with diamond dust on Lenox Museum Board, each measuring 38 x 38 inches. The edition size of 200 signed and numbered impressions, plus 30 artist's proofs and trial proofs, provides adequate market supply while maintaining collectibility.

Warhol selected ten figures from American popular mythology: Mickey Mouse, Superman, The Witch, Howdy Doody, Dracula, The Star (Greta Garbo), Mammy, Santa Claus, Uncle Sam, and The Shadow—the last being Warhol's own silhouette, positioning himself among these cultural icons. This self-inclusion reveals Warhol's characteristic wit regarding celebrity and self-mythologising.

The diamond dust application distinguishes these works technically, adding dimensional luminosity that shifts with viewing angle. Warhol had employed this technique since 1979, but the Myths portfolio represents its most commercially successful deployment, marrying the sparkle of Hollywood glamour with characters drawn from film, advertising, television, and folklore.

Individual Works & Collector Preferences

Mickey Mouse F.S. II 265 consistently generates the strongest collector interest within the portfolio. The image draws from Disney's corporate iconography, and its universal recognition translates directly to buyer confidence. Trial proofs and artist's proofs command premiums, though standard edition examples trade actively.

The Shadow F.S. II 267 attracts collectors specifically interested in Warhol's self-portraiture. The artist appears in profile wearing a fedora, nose elongated, rendered in dramatic chiaroscuro. This work connects conceptually to his explicit Self-Portrait series—one example of which achieved $18,144,000 at Sotheby's in November 2023—offering thematic continuity at substantially lower acquisition costs.

Superman exists in multiple variations within the portfolio, including standard edition prints and trial proofs. The TP 19/30 Superman Trial Proof carries collector premiums given its limited availability and working-proof status. A separate Superman screenprint measuring 35½ x 44⅞ inches represents a distinct variant outside the standard portfolio format.

The Witch F.S. II 261 and its corresponding Trial Proof TP 17/30 appeal to collectors drawn to the portfolio's darker imagery. Margaret Hamilton's portrayal from The Wizard of Oz provides immediate cultural resonance.

The Star F.S. II 258, depicting Garbo, and Uncle Sam F.S. II 259 round out available inventory, each offering distinctive visual character within the portfolio's thematic framework.

Authentication & Condition Considerations

Authentication for Myths prints follows established Warhol protocols. Each standard edition example bears the artist's signature in pencil, typically on the verso, along with edition numbering. The stamps of Ronald Feldman Fine Arts and the printer, Rupert Jasen Smith, appear on authenticated impressions. The Andy Warhol Foundation catalogue raisonné compiled by Feldman and Jörg Schellmann provides definitive reference.

Condition assessment for diamond dust prints requires particular attention. The dust particles, while adhered during production, can experience localised loss over time, particularly at sheet edges and corners. Examine works under raking light to evaluate dust density and distribution evenness. The Lenox Museum Board substrate, an acid-free archite-quality material, generally ages well, though handling marks and surface abrasions affect value.

Provenance documentation tracing ownership from Feldman's original distribution strengthens collector confidence. Works with exhibition history or published references carry scholarly weight. Guy Hepner maintains comprehensive condition reporting and provenance verification for all inventory.

Investment Analysis & 2026 Acquisition Strategy

The Myths portfolio has demonstrated steady appreciation without the volatility characterising Warhol's top-tier market. This stability appeals to collectors seeking measured exposure to the artist's print output. Compared to Marilyns and Maos—where individual impressions now command multi-million-dollar prices—Myths works offer genuine upside potential as collectors increasingly recognise the portfolio's quality and cultural resonance.

From our transaction data, Mickey Mouse and The Shadow consistently outperform other subjects on resale. Collectors acquiring in 2026 should prioritise exceptional condition examples with strong provenance, as these fundamentals increasingly separate premium results from average trades.

Trial proofs and artist's proofs merit consideration for collectors comfortable with smaller edition sizes and correspondingly thinner secondary markets. The premium at acquisition typically reflects realised premiums at resale.

Complete portfolios occasionally surface and command substantial premiums over aggregate individual values. Collectors with appropriate capital should consider these opportunities when available.

Acquire Myths Works Through Guy Hepner

Guy Hepner maintains rotating inventory across the Myths portfolio. To discuss available works, condition specifics, pricing, and acquisition strategy tailored to your collecting objectives, contact our New York team directly. We provide detailed condition reports, provenance documentation, and authentication verification for all Warhol transactions.