Major Hiroshige print collection to be auctioned at Christie's

A remarkable collection of Utagawa Hiroshige's Japanese woodblock prints, assembled over half a century by American collector Alan Medaugh, is set to go under the hammer at Christie's in New York on September 15. Medaugh meticulously curated his collection, prioritizing exceptional print quality, early impressions, and excellent color condition.

The collection boasts over 600 prints and will be dispersed across multiple auctions. It gained prominence in 2025 when it formed a central part of a major Hiroshige exhibition at the British Museum. This upcoming auction offers a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire works from a highly regarded private collection.

Among the highlights is Hiroshige's iconic "Sudden Shower over Shin-Ohashi Bridge and Atake," a masterpiece of the Ukiyo-e genre. A copy of this print, once owned by Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, fetched a staggering £292,100 (approximately $340,614) at Sotheby's in London in September 2023, far exceeding its estimate. The provenance of Mercury's ownership undoubtedly contributed to the record price.

Prices for Ukiyo-e prints, which translate to "pictures of the floating world," can vary dramatically based on the impression's quality and condition. While Mercury's print commanded a high price, another copy of the same motif was sold at Dorotheum for just €750, indicating the vast price spectrum within the market. The value is influenced by the intricate production process involving designers, carvers, printers, and publishers, as well as the wear on the original woodblocks over time and the paper's condition.