Best Buddies
Medium: Screen-print in colors on wove paper
Year: 1990
Image: 21 5/8 x 27 5/8 inches (55×70 cm)
Sheet: 26×32 inches (66.2 x 81.3 cm)
Edition: 200
Artist’s Proofs: 30 AP
Publisher: Durham Press
Literature: Littmann pp. 184-185
Titled and numbered in pencil
Signed and dated by Julia Gruen (executor of the Keith Haring Foundation) in pencil with the Estate stamp on the reverse, also signed by Anthony Shriver, founder of the Best Buddies organization
Three friends, Keith Haring, Chris Murray and Anthony Shriver, turned a friendship formed at the Govinda Gallery, which was just steps from Georgetown University, into a lasting legacy. When Anthony Shriver, the nephew of President Kennedy, founded the Best Buddies organisation he turned to his friends from the gallery where he hosted organisational meetings and planned fundraisers. Best Buddies enlisted university students to help create opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. Haring acquiesced to his friends’ request that he design a logo for the organisation. The artist also agreed to make a print of the image in order to help with raising additional funds. Keith Haring died before he was able to sign the edition. Best Buddies was the artist’s last print and it helped to raise over $500,000, leaving a lasting gift for the organisation and the many lives touched by it.
Keith Haring completed his final print series, “Best Buddies”, just 10 days before dying from AIDS-related complications in 1990. The “Best Buddies” motif, which first appeared in Haring’s work in 1987 depicts two figures hugging, with rays emanating from their embrace. Like many of Haring’s iconic symbols, “Best Buddies” is purposefully uncomplicated, inviting viewers to create their own interpretation of the scene. Haring’s figures have no specified race, gender, or sexual orientation, and they instead appear as anonymous emblems of universal love and acceptance.
Executed in 1990, Best Buddies was Haring’s last print produced before his death that same year. Created for Best Buddies International, an organization offering opportunities for those living with developmental disabilities, the work captures the spirit of friendship and acceptance. It helped to raise over $500,000, thus leaving a lasting gift for the organization and many lives touched by it.
Auction Results
Sotheby’s London: 24 September 2024
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 31,750 / USD 42,545
KEITH HARING (1958 – 1990)
Best Buddies (L. pp. 184-85), 1990
Screenprint in colors on Coventry Rag paper
Titled, inscribed and numbered AP 20/30 in pencil
With the estate stamp verso signed by Julia Gruen (Executor for the Keith Haring Estate), Jean-Paul Russell (Printer, Durham Press) and Anthony Shriver (Founder of the Best Buddies Organization)
One of 30 artist’s proofs aside from the edition of 100
Heritage Auctions: 16 April 2024
Estimated: USD 15,000 – 25,000
USD 31,250
KEITH HARING (1958-1990)
Best Buddies, 1990
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Ed. 108/200
Editioned and titled in pencil along recto lower edge
Signed and dated in pencil by Julia Gruen, the executor of the Keith Haring Estate, verso lower left
Christie’s New-York: 23 February 2024
Estimated: USD 15,000 – 20,000
USD 52,920
KEITH HARING (1958-1990)
Best Buddies, 1990
Screenprint in colors on Coventry rag paper
Titled and numbered ‘BEST BUDDIES 62⁄100′ in pencil in the lower margin
Numbered ’62⁄100,’ dated ‘4⁄25/90’ and signed in pencil within the estate stamp on the reverse by
Julia Gruen (Executor for the Keith Haring Estate)
Jean-Paul Russell (Printer, Durham Press)
and Anthony Shriver (Founder of the Best Buddies Organization)
SBI Art Auction: 28 January 2024
Estimated: JPY 1,000,000 – 1,500,000
JPY 8,855,000 / USD 59,754
AUCTION RECORD FOR BEST BUDDIES
KEITH HARING
Best Buddies (Littmann p. 185), 1990
Screenprint
Titled and numbered on the lower part, with the estate stamp on the reverse, signed by Julia Gruen, Anthony Shriver and Jean-Paul Russell
A Printer’s Proof aside from the edition of 100
Heritage Auctions: 24 October 2023
Estimated: USD 15,000 – 25,000
USD 45,000
KEITH HARING
Best Buddies, 1990
Screen-print in colors on wove paper
Editioned 45/200 and titled in pencil along recto lower edge
Signed and dated in pencil by Julia Gruen, the executor of the Keith Haring Estate
Phillips London: 22 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 35,560 / USD 43,733
KEITH HARING
Best Buddies, 1990
Screenprint in colors on Coventry Rag paper
Titled and numbered ‘AP 27/30’ in pencil on the front
An artist’s proof, the edition was 200
Signed and dated ‘4/25/90’ by Julia Gruen (Executor for the Keith Haring Estate) in pencil on the Estate stamp on the reverse
Also signed by the printer, and Anthony Shriver, founder of the Best Buddies organization
Sotheby’s New-York: 21 April 2022
Estimated: USD 10,000 – 20,000
USD 44,100
KEITH HARING
Best Buddies (Litmann pp. 184-185), 1990
Titled in pencil and numbered 92/200, with the estate stamp on the verso
Signed in pencil by Julia Gruen, the executor of the artist’s estate
And Anthony Shriver, founder of the Best Buddies organization
Sotheby’s London: 17 March 2021
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 23,940 / USD 33,455
KEITH HARING (1958 – 1990)
Best Buddies (L. pp. 184-85), 1990
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 187/200
Titled, with the Keith Haring Estate insktamp verso
Signed by the executor Julia Gruen, and Anthony Shriver, founder of the Best Buddies organization
Phillips online: 20 September 2020
Estimated: HKD 100,000 – 150,000
HKD 250,000 / USD 32,000
KEITH HARING
Best Buddies, 1990
Screen-print in colors on wove paper
Titled “BEST BUDDIES” along bottom edge
Numbered ’59/200′ lower right
Further numbered ’59/200′ on a certificate of authenticity issued by the Keith Haring Estate on the reverse