The first auction exclusively dedicated to Tomi Ungerer, held in Strasbourg, attracted collectors, professionals, and admirers from several countries. With over 700 lots offered, the event not only drew a large audience but also helped to revitalize the market for the Alsatian artist.
An unprecedented auction that rekindles interest in Ungerer
For the first time, an auction house dedicated an entire session to the work of Tomi Ungerer. A worthwhile choice: according to the auctioneer, Luka Charlet, as reported by France 3 Grand Est, the event was “a resounding success,” with a packed room from beginning to end. Numerous buyers – notably from Germany, Switzerland, the United States, and France – attended, attesting to the international renown of the author of The Three Robbers.
Over 90% of the works found buyers, ranging from iconic posters and political drawings to rare watercolors. This exceptional concentration of Ungerer's work clearly stimulated demand. As Luka Charlet points out, a sale entirely dedicated to the artist "rekindled interest" in his work, whereas his drawings had previously appeared in general auctions.
The highlight of the day: a small watercolor titled Prestige, depicting a mutilated soldier, which sold for €5,000 excluding fees, an amount hailed as “a very good price” for such a small piece. Other striking works also attracted bidders, such as the watercolor Franco-German Dancers, which went for €3,500, and the poster White Power Black Power, which sold for €2,500.
A multifaceted body of work brought back into the spotlight, from the childlike to the political
This themed sale also offered an opportunity to explore the breadth of work by Tomi Ungerer, a prolific artist who explored everything from children's illustration to political satire and advertising. The Auction Magazine, which had previously presented a selection of the lots, highlighted the wide range of fields covered by the Alsatian artist, from his classic children's books (The Three Robbers, Moon Man, Otto) to his activism against the Vietnam War in the 1960s.
The protest posters created during his time in America were one of the most notable collections. Before the sale, Luka Charlet emphasized that he had managed to assemble all the original posters related to Vietnam, each signed—a rare grouping for this period, considered one of the artist's most creative.
The auction also offered a glimpse into his advertising work, notably for Lip watches and Air India, as well as his more playful creations, such as the wooden toys designed for the Swiss brand NAEF. This diversity reflects the richness of a body of work that has influenced several generations, in Alsace and far beyond.
By bringing together such a substantial collection for the first time, this Strasbourg sale confirmed the vitality of the market surrounding Tomi Ungerer and solidified the artist's place among the most sought-after illustrators. It also served to extend the legacy of this internationally renowned artist, six years after his passing.
