Art Market Monitor

Global Coverage ~ Unique Analysis

  • AMMpro
  • AMM Fantasy Collecting Game
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us

High Prices, Low Returns

July 19, 2010 by Marion Maneker

Ian Craft’s collection of British watercolors set several records last week when it was sold at Sotheby’s. But high prices don’t always mean good returns to collectors. Craft knew what he wanted and was willing to pay whatever he was needed to secure those works. When he sold, Colin Gleadell reports, those prices hampered his returns–if not his enjoyment of the works while he owned them:

Craft frequently paid record prices for what he wanted, regardless of estimates, and his returns were mixed. The Cozens performed best realising a compound growth rate of 14 per cent per annum, which is exceptional by any standards. The Wright of Derby drawing, however, was bought 10 years ago for £234,500, and realised an annual growth rate of just 2.9 per cent. Other works saw no increase at all.

British Watercolours  Sales Sets New Records (Telegraph)

More from Art Market Monitor

  • Sotheby’s Mod & Postwar British = £9.4m ($11.8)Sotheby’s Mod & Postwar British = £9.4m ($11.8)
  • Christie’s Modern British = £9.8mChristie’s Modern British = £9.8m
  • Lowry-palooza Makes £26.3mLowry-palooza Makes £26.3m
  • Sotheby's 20th C British = £4.58mSotheby's 20th C British = £4.58m
  • Stanley Spencer Sets a RecordStanley Spencer Sets a Record
  • Sotheby's 20th C British Art = £8.4mSotheby's 20th C British Art = £8.4m

Filed Under: Auction Results Tagged With: British, Watercolor

About Marion Maneker

LiveArt

Want to get Art Market Monitor‘s posts sent to you in our email? Sign up below by clicking on the Subscribe button.

  • About Us/ Contact
  • Podcast
  • AMMpro
  • Newsletter
  • FAQ

twitterfacebooksoundcloud
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
California Privacy Rights
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Advertise on Art Market Monitor