Warhol’s Endangered Species: From £50k to £3.4M – The Print Portfolio Defying the Market
Grevy's Zebra (F. & S. II.300) - Signed Print
Andy Warhol
479 works
Originally produced in 1983 as a visual tribute to threatened wildlife, Warhol’s Endangered Species series has evolved into a high-performing asset class in his print market. What once sold for just £50,000 now commands over £3.4 million for complete sets. It is one of the most valuable and actively watched series Warhol ever created.
The 10-part portfolio includes vivid depictions of species such as the Bald Eagle, African Elephant and Siberian Tiger. Each work channels Warhol’s iconic pop style into a conservation message, released a decade after the Endangered Species Act was introduced in the United States. But it’s not just the thematic relevance that’s driving value. Scarcity is a key factor. Complete sets have only sold once per year since 2021, and just five Trial Proofs have appeared at public auction since 2022.
Recent data shows that even individual prints – particularly Artist Proofs and Trial Proofs – are now fetching six-figure prices. In 2025 Black Rhinoceros was a top performer in Christie’s sale and Giant Panda (AP) set a new record high, achieving £166,507 ($215,900 USD) at a United States auction house. Back track to 2024, Pine Barrens Tree Frog (TP) sold for £162,000, and Orangutan (TP) for £174,000. That same year, African Elephant and Giant Panda main editions also achieved prices well above historic averages, reflecting renewed appetite for rare prints and editions.
For owners, the data points to a strategic window. Private sale routes, especially for rare proofs or full sets, now offer significant pricing leverage in a market where auction outcomes are increasingly variable.
For more information, download our free Endangered Species report.
