Where To Start When Looking To Buy A Lowry Print?
A small fraction of Lowry’s market comprises print works priced above £10,000. In 2023, the only entry in this category was Going to the Match, selling four times, one of which set a new auction record in June, fetching £43,250 (with fees).
Works priced from £5,001 to £10,000 form a slightly larger segment in Lowry’s 2023 print market. Among the top performers was The Cart from the Figures series, achieving £10,000 (with fees) and setting an auction record in October 2023. Man Lying on a Wall, also from the Figures series, sold for £9,375 (with fees) in February, indicating a growing interest with Lowry prints beyond his iconic Industrial and Landscape Scenes.
A substantial 44% of Lowry’s 2023 print market comprised works priced between £2,000 and £5,000 offering accessibility to new entry’s into the market. For example, The Football Match sold for £4,800 (hammer) and £6,144 with fees in 2023, providing football enthusiasts with an alternative subject matter at a more affordable price point than Going to the Match. Similarly, Britain at Play captures the quintessential northern vibe with matchstick figures and landscapes, selling for £3,800 (hammer) and £4,750 with fees.
Lowry’s Most Affordable Prints: Below £2,000
Some of Lowry’s most budget-friendly prints belong to the Drawings and Figures series. For instance, Three Men And A Cat, His Family, and The Meeting Point all sold for £1,000 (hammer) in 2023. Crime Lake from the Lakeside, Sea Views, and Seascapes series offers an alternative interpretation of matchstick figures and landscapes at more accessible price points. Woman With Beard showcases Lowry’s diverse aesthetic, depicting a close-up portrait and selling for £700 (hammer) in 2023.
Even sought-after pieces like Britain at Play, whose value is bolstered by high demand, are available at reasonable price levels.
Condition of Lowry Prints
Lowry’s prints, having been published before the 1970s, may not all be in pristine condition despite their frequent appearance on the market. As with any print acquisition, condition is paramount, with those in flawless state commanding higher prices. However, individual collecting preferences also influence decisions, with collectors open to prints in moderate condition often finding greater budget flexibility to pursue their desired artworks.