If you were looking for a fix of the work of George Platt Lynes, a sale focused on Platt Lynes at Rago last week in New York likely met that craving. While photographs by Platt Lynes dominated the offerings, other works including drawings, paintings, and even embroidery by Platt Lynes and other artists filled out the sale. Consistently low estimates under appreciated the demand for the work, with many lots sold at several times their high estimates, with the top lot male nude soaring to nearly $36K, nearly 20 times its high. A minuscule Buy-In rate for the photographs (of less than 2%) and plenty of positive surprises (a total of 33) led to Total Sale Proceeds for photography of just under $350K, well above the high end of the aggregate pre-sale estimate range.
The summary statistics are below (all results include the buyer’s premium):
| Summary Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Total Lots | 122 |
| Aggregate Pre Sale Low Estimate | $123600 |
| Aggregate Pre Sale High Estimate | $185400 |
| Total Lots Sold | 120 |
| Total Lots Bought In | 2 |
| Buy In % | 1.64% |
| Total Sale Proceeds | $349922 |
Here is the breakdown (using our typical Low, Mid, and High price range definitions):
| Detailed Breakdown | |
|---|---|
| Low Total Lots | 122 |
| Total Low Lots Sold | 120 |
| Total Low Lots Bought In | 2 |
| Low Buy In % | 1.64% |
| Aggregate High Estimate of Low Lots | $185400 |
| Total Proceeds from Low Lots | $349922 |
| Mid Total Lots | 0 |
| Total Mid Lots Sold | NA |
| Total Mid Lots Bought In | NA |
| Mid Buy In % | NA |
| Aggregate High Estimate of Mid Lots | $0 |
| Total Proceeds from Mid Lots | $0 |
| Total High Lots | 0 |
| Total High Lots Sold | NA |
| Total High Lots Bought In | NA |
| High Buy In % | NA |
| Aggregate High Estimate of High Lots | $0 |
| Total Proceeds from High Lots | $0 |
The top lot by High estimate was lot 128, Ansel Adams, Glenway Wescott (three works), n.d., estimated at $2000-3000; it sold at $1536, but it was not the top photography outcome of the sale. That honor went to lot 167, George Platt Lynes, Buddy Seated, Tex with His Back Turned Almost Recumbent, n.d., estimated at $1200-1800, sold at $35840 (image above, via Rago).
85.83% of the photo lots that sold had proceeds in or above the estimate range and there were a total of 33 positive surprises for photography in the sale (defined as having proceeds of at least double the high estimate). 14 of those lots found buyers above $5000 (images above via Rago):
Lot 110, Man Ray, George Platt Lynes, Paris, c1927, estimated at $1200-1800, sold at $8960
Lot 141, George Platt Lynes, Randy Jack (two works), n.d., estimated at $1200-1800, sold at $5120
Lot 143, George Platt Lynes, Ray Richter, 1947, estimated at $800-1200, sold at $5760
Lot 144, George Platt Lynes, Ray Richter, 1947, estimated at $800-1200, sold at $5760
Lot 153, George Platt Lynes, Nino Sansome (three works), n.d., estimated at $1200-1800, sold at $10240
Lot 154, George Platt Lynes, John Paul Paine, 1954, estimated at $1200-1800, sold at $5760
Lot 162, George Platt Lynes, Mel Fillini (two works), 1954, estimated at $1200-1800, sold at $5054
Lot 167, George Platt Lynes, Buddy Seated, Tex with His Back Turned Almost Recumbent, n.d., estimated at $1200-1800, sold at $35840
Lot 174, George Platt Lynes, Self-Portrait, n.d., estimated at $1200-1800, sold at $5760
Lot 178, George Platt Lynes, On the Bed, n.d., estimated at $1200-1800, sold at $5760
Lot 180, George Platt Lynes, Male Nude Study, n.d., estimated at $800-1200, sold at $7680
Lot 189, George Platt Lynes, William Somerset Maugham with William Miller, 1941, estimated at $1200-1800, sold at $5760
Lot 193, George Platt Lynes, Jeffrey Harrison, n.d., estimated at $1200-1800, sold at $5376
Lot 212, George Platt Lynes, The Artist’s Desk at Sunset Plaza Place, West Hollywood, CA with Peter Harrison’s Head, 1947, estimated at $1200-1800, sold at $7680
The complete lot by lot results can be found here.
I must be missing something, but then it has been a long day.
You say Rago’s total sale proceeds for the Platt Lynes lots are $349,922 and their website says the sale results total $623,783.
https://www.ragoarts.com/auctions/2026/05/a-menage-with-george-platt-lynes
Ahhh maybe your total only includes sheets of paper…..
Yes, it’s the total for only the photographs in the sale. There were several pieces of furniture and other drawings, watercolors, and paintings also on offer, which are not included in the totals.