A set of four coloured lithographs, signed by the American/Dutch abstract impressionist Willem De Kooning, are to auction online on January 13. The expressive lithographs have been given a $10,000-20,000 presale valuation.

The expressive lithographs are each signed and numbered 11/60

An untitled work by the artist achieved $424,500 at Christie's New York in December 2012, suggesting the market is primed for pieces by the contemporary artist, who is critically bracketed aside Jackson Pollock as part of the New York school.

Works by De Kooning resist easy categorisation

Following his death in 1997, works by De Kooning have become increasingly valuable, with the largest sums being paid for the oldest pieces. In November 2006, De Kooning's Woman III was sold through private treaty by David Geffen to Steve A Cohen for $137.5m, making it the second most valuable painting in the world at that time.

Although the lithographs in question are undated, they are both signed and numbered by the artist. Time will tell as to whether they perform well during what has proved to be a propitious period for art sales.

The art market is growing, with 1m people worldwide now identifying themselves as serious art collectors, compared with just 10,000 in 1980. An increased appetite for contemporary art was demonstrated by the 2012 Art News 200 report, which found that 87% of the world's leading 200 art buyers own contemporary pieces.

At Paul Fraser Collectibles we also currently have two investment grade, original Damien Hirst artworks in stock. 

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