Hockney’s The Arrival of Spring Prints See 671% Resale Growth
The Arrival Of Spring In Woldgate East Yorkshire 11th May 2011 © David Hockney 2011
David Hockney
651 works
Sotheby’s “Arrival of Spring” Sale Achieves £6.2 Million White-Glove Result
On 17 October 2025, Sotheby’s held its first-ever dedicated live auction of David Hockney’s The Arrival of Spring prints – and the results were exceptional. All 17 works, consigned from a single owner, achieved a white-glove result totalling £6.2 million.
All but one work cleared its high estimate, and the sale reached more than 150% above the low presale estimate at the hammer. Intense bidding was driven by the rare opportunity to acquire multiple works from the same edition – each piece numbered 15/25, underscoring the premium placed on cohesive, edition-consistent sets.
Six of the 17 works made their auction debut, while every work that had previously appeared at auction set a new individual record, surpassing earlier benchmarks. Notably, several of these smaller edition-of-25 prints even exceeded the record previously held by the rarer edition of 10.
This was a spectacular sale by every measure, setting a new benchmark for both the series and the broader Hockney print market. For many observers, the result reaffirmed that when the right works appear – with provenance, rarity, and narrative appeal – collector appetite remains strong. The market, far from slowing, continues to reward quality and timing.
About the Series: The Arrival Of Spring
Hockney created The Arrival of Spring prints using an iPad, capturing Yorkshire’s seasonal transition through vibrant, digital compositions. Fusing traditional landscape with digital innovation, the series marks a pivotal moment in Hockney’s career and a modern breakthrough in editioned printmaking.
With over 60 variations across two edition sizes, the series remains tightly held. The large-scale edition of 10 (236 x 170 cm) is exceptionally rare – only four have come to auction between 2018 and 2024, and two in 2025. The edition of 25 offers greater liquidity while maintaining value – and it was this edition that formed the basis of Sotheby’s October sale.
Auction Records Continue to Climb in 2025
Even before the October white-glove sale, The Arrival of Spring was leading performance within the Contemporary print market:
- The Arrival of Spring, 4 May matched its previous auction record at Christie’s, achieving £504,000.
- The Arrival of Spring, 31 May No.1 achieved £406,400 at Sotheby’s – the second-highest price paid for an edition of 10.
- 25 March 2011 (edition of 10) debuted at Christie’s at £192,264 ($254,000).
- 17 May 2011 (edition of 25) sold for £53,340 at Phillips in January before flipping for £173,509 at Rago just three months later – a 225% increase.
The October 2025 sale now sits at the top of this performance arc, signalling sustained depth of demand and a clear hierarchy between editions, provenance, and completeness.
Investment Overview
Since entering the market in 2017, The Arrival of Spring has shown consistent growth in both value and volume, establishing itself as one of Hockney’s most in-demand print series.
Average values rose from £100,700 in 2021 to £227,600 in 2022, before stabilising in 2023 and climbing again to a new peak of £236,800 in 2025. The data reflects a resilient trajectory – one shaped by steady collector confidence and the series’ expanding international reach.
- 2022 saw average values surge by 126%.
- 2023 delivered the series’ highest annual volume with 22 works sold.
- By mid-2024, eight works from the edition of 25 generated £1.3 million in total sales.
With the new Sotheby’s white-glove benchmark and average values now at their highest level to date, The Arrival of Spring continues to demonstrate sustained market depth heading into 2026.
Resale Momentum: Exceptional ROI Across Repeat Sales
Of the seventeen works sold in Sotheby’s dedicated Arrival of Spring auction, eleven were repeat auction appearances – collectively setting new benchmarks for the series.
The standout result came from 2nd of June 2011, which hammered at £500,000, marking an extraordinary +1,823% increase from its previous sale in 2018. 22nd of March 2011 followed closely, achieving £320,000, up +1,233% from its earlier result. 27th of April 2011 rose by +611%, while 11th of May 2011 gained +491%.
Other repeat sales delivered steady increases ranging from 7% to 300%, reinforcing the series’ depth and durability in the secondary market. These figures highlight both the liquidity of Hockney’s print market and the importance of strategic timing and placement – factors that remain crucial to realising strong returns, even in a more selective auction environment.
Why Edition Size & Placement Matter
Edition size continues to shape pricing structure and liquidity. The smaller edition of 10 commands scarcity premiums, while the edition of 25 sustains consistent trading volume and market visibility.
For sellers, the October 2025 white-glove sale demonstrated how timing, cohesion, and provenance can significantly amplify value. The strength of a single-owner set – all matching edition numbers – created an environment of trust and competitive momentum rarely replicated across fragmented consignments.
For the private market, these results reaffirm that pricing confidence flows outward from the auction room. When a collection performs this strongly under the hammer, it sets new private benchmarks, raising expectations for both sellers and buyers seeking comparable works. When the right editions appear together, appetite follows – publicly and privately alike.
Final Takeaway: Arrival of Spring Leads the Market
With record-setting momentum and its first dedicated live auction, The Arrival of Spring is not just one of Hockney’s most celebrated print series – it’s also a defining force in the Contemporary edition market. As demand grows and fresh works re-emerge, this series continues to offer exceptional value and long-term upside.
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