GUEST: I purchased these back in the mid-'80s from a friend of mine that was coming up short on a mortgage payment. They cost him about $3,000 apiece.
APPRAISER: Each is an original screen print by Andy Warhol, who is arguably the single most important figure in the Pop Art movement of the 20th century. Warhol was fascinated with everyday objects. He was fascinated with celebrity. These prints are great, not only in terms of the images, but in terms of the condition. "Fiesta Pig", closest to me, was made in 1979. "Turtle" was made in 1985. Each one is clearly signed, and each one is numbered. "Fiesta Pig" is an edition of 200. "Turtle" is an edition of 250. They are not titled, but we know the titles of the prints because we have the Catalogue Raisonné, and these conform exactly to the edition size, the date of publication, as well as the coloration. "Fiesta Pig" was a print that shows basically-- a very amusing print, I think-- a pig in the aftermath of a party. The "Turtle" was completed two years subsequent to his having done a series called "Endangered Species," and it was based upon a photograph, and it coincided with a film which was a sort of romantic comedy which centered around sea turtles in the London Zoo. Interest in Warhol's work and in his career has really skyrocketed since his untimely passing in the '80s. Do you have any idea what these might be worth if offered at auction?
GUEST: No idea.
APPRAISER: "Fiesta Pig" would probably be offered at around $8,000 to $12,000.
GUEST: Mm-hmm.
APPRAISER: "Turtle" would be in at $30,000 to $50,000.
GUEST: Okay, great. That's exciting.