Market Watch Ed Ruscha: Top Ten Most Investable Prints

Ruscha's That Is Right (complete set) (1989) stands as a landmark series in the artist's printmaking oeuvre, showcasing his signature blend of text and imagery with a sharp conceptual edge. Each print in this set juxtaposes carefully chosen words - like “RIGHT,” “CERTAIN,” “TRUE,” and “FINAL” - against diffused grids of light and shadow, creating a dialogue between language, perception, and visual abstraction.

This complete set is exceptionally rare, with very few intact editions circulating in the market, heightening its desirability among collectors. Its appearance at Christie’s in November 2024 achieved a record-breaking £95,527. This sale not only established the set as the top-selling print in Ruscha's market for the year but also surpassed the previous auction record set in 2018, which was the last time a full set was publicly available.

Ruscha's Made in California (1971) is a quintessential example of the artist's masterful use of text, minimalism, and cultural commentary. The bold, monochromatic yellow background paired with embossed lettering creates a striking visual and conceptual statement, reflecting California's identity as both a cultural symbol and an artistic hub. The print's simplicity belies its depth, encapsulating notions of place, pride, and the commercialisation of regional identity.

In 2024, this work appeared multiple times at auction, signalling sustained collector interest despite broader market challenges. Its highest sale occurred at Abell Auction Co. in March 2024, where it achieved £68,052. While this result did not set a new auction record for the work, it underscored the print's enduring value and appeal in a fluctuating market.

Ruscha's Wall Rocket (2013) stands as an example of the artist's ability to blend text and landscape into a cohesive visual dialogue. Created in the 2000s, this work reflects Ruscha's continued evolution while maintaining his signature use of bold typography juxtaposed against evocative backdrops. The image of a rugged, snow-capped mountain is overlaid with sharp, clean lettering spelling out “WALL ROCKET”, creating a tension between natural grandeur and modern textual intervention.

A unique colour trial proof (CTP), distinguished from the regular edition of 60, came to market in April 2024, at Phillips, and selling for an impressive result of £56,177. This sale not only set a new record for Wall Rocket but also secured its position among Ruscha's highest-valued prints of the year.

Ruscha's Mysteries (2021) exemplifies the artist's signature interplay between text and atmospheric landscapes, with bold typography set against a deep red gradient background. The word “MYSTERIES” appears layered and fragmented, creating a visual tension that invites viewers to contemplate the ambiguity and depth of the message.

In 2024, this work made three auction appearances, its only presence on the secondary market to date. The series of sales culminated in a benchmark result of £47,905, solidifying its status as a sought-after piece in Ruscha's print oeuvre.

Ruscha's History Kids (2013) also belongs to his Mountain Series, showcasing his signature juxtaposition of monumental landscapes with bold, enigmatic text. The composition pairs a majestic, snow-capped mountain - rendered in sharp blues, golden tones, and icy whites - with the phrase “HISTORY KIDS” in stark white typography. The luminous sky, transitioning from deep rust to vibrant purple and yellow, creates an almost cinematic backdrop, emphasising subliminal ambiguity.

In 2024, Ruscha's Mountain Series experienced a surge in market demand, capturing significant collector attention. A unique CTP of this work appeared in the same April sale at Phillips, achieving a remarkable £40,850 - an auction record for this work.

Ruscha's Sponge Puddle (2015) also belongs to the Mountain Series. The print features a snow-capped mountain bathed in the warm hues of sunset, with tones of lavender, peach, and gold illuminating the sky. The bold white typography - “SPONGE PUDDLE” - cuts through the serene landscape.

Sponge Puddle appeared three times at auction in 2024, with two successful sales underscoring its sustained demand among collectors. The standout result came at Phi Auctions, where the print achieved a record-breaking £37,783, marking a new benchmark for this specific work. This result further highlights the enduring appeal of Ruscha's Mountain Series and his growing global market relevance.

OK (State II) (1990) is rendered in vibrant red with a hazy, airbrushed texture, the simplicity of the two-letter word carries an ambiguous yet universally understood message - both reassuring and neutral, encapsulating Ruscha's fascination with the intersection of text and image.

In 2024, this piece reappeared at auction for the first time in ten years, offered at LAMA (Los Angeles Modern Auctions) in the United States. Achieving a final price of £31,679, it set an impressive new auction record, more than doubling its previous result from a decade ago.

Ruscha's Sea of Desire (1983) is a quintessential example of his poetic interplay between text and landscape, reflecting his mastery of creating visual tension through minimal compositions. Produced in the 1980s, this early print presents a serene seascape, depicted in a soothing gradient of blues. The tranquil imagery is juxtaposed with the provocative phrase “Sea of Desire,” drawing viewers into a reflection on the nuanced interplay between longing and aspiration.

In 2024, this print made only its second auction appearance since 2019, where it previously sold for £19,000. At its most recent sale, it achieved a remarkable £28,683, setting an impressive new auction record for the work.

Los Francisco San Angeles (2001) is a compelling print set that encapsulates Ruscha's signature play with language, geography, and cultural symbolism. By merging the names of two iconic Californian cities - Los Angeles and San Francisco - Ruscha creates a fictional hybrid space, reflecting the blurred boundaries of identity, place, and perception in contemporary American life. The set features clean typography against minimalist backdrops, embodying Ruscha's sharp visual wit and conceptual clarity. In October 2024, a complete set achieved £27,187 at Christie’s, securing it's placement among Ruscha's top-selling works for the year.