Those following urban art auctions closely have probably heard about the José Parlá original on board that was estimated by Sotheby’s at only $8,000-$12,000 (image can be found here). Nobody I spoke to could understand such a low estimate. The piece is quite big a 48 by 86 inches (about 1.2m x 2.2m), and it’s beautiful. It’s not like Parlá is the sort of Banksy derivative artist whose work is having a tough time selling in this market. I’m pretty sure that if Elms Lesters had another Parlá solo show next month lines would still be out the door.
Well, this evening lot 236 sold for $51,250 including Buyers Premium. I still don’t know how Sotheby’s could have have gotten the estimate so wrong, but I’m glad the rest of the world saw this gem and realized what it is actually worth.