Keith Haring Apocalypse Series: Value, Editions & Identification

Keith Haring’s Apocalypse is one of the most ambitious print portfolios of his career. Created in 1988 in collaboration with writer William S. Burroughs, the project combines Haring’s dense visual language with Burroughs’ text in a dramatic meditation on destruction, violence, technology and contemporary culture.

For owners, identifying and valuing an Apocalypse print requires more than recognizing the image. The exact plate, edition number, proof type, signature, condition, provenance, Littmann reference, accompanying Burroughs text and whether the work belongs to a complete set can all affect market value.

If you own a Keith Haring Apocalypse print or complete portfolio and are considering selling it, the first step is determining exactly what you have.

What Is Keith Haring’s Apocalypse Series?

Keith Haring created Apocalypse in 1988 as a portfolio of 10 large screenprints in colors.

The prints were issued together with text by William S. Burroughs, whose contribution was printed on transparent acetate or PVC sheets accompanying the portfolio.

The complete project includes:

10 color screenprints
Title sheet
Colophon or justification
Text pages by William S. Burroughs
Original portfolio materials, when retained

The prints were published by George Mulder Fine Arts, New York.

The combination of Haring’s imagery and Burroughs’ writing makes Apocalypse distinct from Haring’s more straightforward print portfolios.

How Many Keith Haring Apocalypse Prints Were Made?

The standard edition consisted of:

90 numbered sets
20 Artist’s Proofs
5 Hors Commerce sets

A regular impression might be numbered:

61/90

Artist’s Proofs may be marked:

A.P.

Hors Commerce impressions may be marked:

H.C.

The relatively small edition size contributes to the suite’s collector interest.

How Many Prints Are in the Apocalypse Portfolio?

A complete Apocalypse portfolio contains 10 individual screenprints.

Complete sets can have different market characteristics from single plates.

When evaluating a complete portfolio, consider:

Whether all 10 prints are present
Whether edition numbers match
Whether the Burroughs text sheets remain with the set
Whether the introduction page is signed by Burroughs
Condition across all works
Original portfolio box
Title and justification sheets
Provenance
Whether the suite has remained together historically

If you own several Apocalypse prints, determine whether they originated from the same numbered set before selling them separately.

Are Keith Haring Apocalypse Prints Signed?

Yes. Documented Apocalypse prints are typically signed and dated in pencil by Keith Haring and numbered according to the edition.

Complete sets also include text by William S. Burroughs, and documented examples commonly include Burroughs’ signature on the introduction page.

The signature, date and edition number should correspond with the documented publication.

A signature alone, however, does not establish authenticity.

What Is the Littmann Reference for Keith Haring Apocalypse?

Keith Haring’s editions on paper are documented in the Littmann catalogue raisonné.

The Apocalypse suite is generally referenced across approximately Littmann pp. 98–115, with individual plates carrying their own page references.

Auction houses regularly cite Littmann references when cataloguing Apocalypse prints.

A Littmann reference can help identify the exact plate and documented edition, but it does not independently authenticate a specific physical impression.

Who Printed and Published Keith Haring Apocalypse?

The suite was published by George Mulder Fine Arts, New York.

Documented examples were printed by Rupert Jasen Smith, an important printer associated with many Haring editions.

Auction catalogues often note:

George Mulder Fine Arts publisher information
Artist and publisher copyright stamps on the reverse
Rupert Jasen Smith blindstamp
Edition number
Haring signature and date

These details can be useful when researching an Apocalypse print.

What Size Are Keith Haring Apocalypse Prints?

Documented Apocalypse sheets measure approximately:

38 x 38 inches

or roughly:

96.5 x 96.5 cm

The works are large-format screenprints and are commonly described as printed on Museum Board.

Exact dimensions should still be checked against the specific print because trimming, mounting or other alterations can affect both identification and value.

How Much Is a Keith Haring Apocalypse Print Worth?

There is no single value for every Apocalypse print.

Important factors include:

Exact plate
Numbered edition or proof
Signature
Condition
Full sheet
Surface quality
Provenance
Littmann reference
Individual print vs. complete portfolio
Accompanying Burroughs text
Original portfolio materials
Current collector demand

Individual plates can trade at very different levels from complete sets.

The strongest valuation comparisons come from recent sales of the same plate or complete suite with similar edition status and condition.

What Is a Complete Keith Haring Apocalypse Set Worth?

Complete sets can occupy a substantially different market from individual prints.

For example, Phillips sold a complete Apocalypse suite for $151,200, while an earlier complete set sold for $62,500. These results show how condition, timing and market demand can influence value.

Past auction results should not automatically be treated as the current value of another suite.

A complete set should be evaluated according to:

Matching edition numbers
Condition
Burroughs text sheets
Original portfolio materials
Provenance
Current availability
Current collector demand

Are Individual Apocalypse Prints Valuable?

Yes.

Individual Apocalypse plates are actively collected and sold separately.

Phillips has documented individual plates such as Apocalypse 8 and Apocalypse 9 selling independently, with values varying by image, edition, condition and market timing.

A single print should therefore be evaluated on its own merits rather than simply assigning one-tenth of the value of a complete set.

Does the William S. Burroughs Text Affect Value?

It can, especially for complete portfolios.

The original suite was conceived as a collaboration between Haring and Burroughs, so the text pages are an integral part of the complete project.

For complete sets, value and completeness may be affected by whether the following remain present:

Burroughs text sheets
Signed introduction page
Title sheet
Justification page
Original portfolio box

A portfolio lacking some of these components may still be valuable, but it should not automatically be treated as fully complete.

How Does Condition Affect Apocalypse Value?

Condition can materially affect both individual prints and complete sets.

Important issues include:

Surface scuffs
Rubbing
Fingerprints
Scratches
Staining
Foxing
Edge nicks
Creasing
Tears
Mounting
Tape residue
Restoration
Damage to text sheets or acetate

Auction condition reports for Apocalypse works have noted issues such as soft scuffs, edge nicks, foxing and wear to portfolio boxes.

Because the works use broad areas of matte color, surface rubbing can be particularly noticeable.

Do not clean or restore an Apocalypse print before obtaining specialist advice.

Does Provenance Matter for Keith Haring Apocalypse?

Yes.

Useful provenance may include:

Original gallery invoices
George Mulder Fine Arts documentation
Pop Shop provenance
Auction records
Collection history
Gallery labels
Exhibition history
Insurance records
Conservation reports
Prior correspondence

Strong provenance can make identification easier and provide additional confidence to potential buyers.

Does the Original Portfolio Box Matter?

For complete sets, yes.

Documented Apocalypse portfolios were issued with portfolio materials, and some auction records specifically note whether the original box is present or missing.

The presence of:

Original portfolio box
Title sheet
Text sheets
Introduction page
Justification page
Publisher materials

can help establish completeness.

Do not discard these materials even if they show wear.

How Do I Know If My Keith Haring Apocalypse Print Is Authentic?

No single characteristic establishes authenticity.

Research should consider:

Exact image
Screenprinting technique
Museum Board
Dimensions
Haring signature
Date
Edition number
Proof designation
Publisher
Printer blindstamp
Copyright stamps
Littmann reference
Provenance

The physical work should correspond with documented examples in all meaningful respects.

The Keith Haring Foundation no longer accepts new artworks for authentication review, making edition research and provenance especially important when researching Haring works today.

Numbered Edition vs. Artist’s Proof vs. Hors Commerce

Apocalypse exists in several documented edition types.

The standard edition consisted of:

90 numbered sets

Artist’s Proofs:

20 A.P. sets

Hors Commerce:

5 H.C. sets

These proof groups can have different market characteristics.

However, rarity alone does not determine value. Condition, image, completeness, provenance and collector demand remain important.

What Should I Send for a Keith Haring Apocalypse Review?

Please send, whenever possible:

Clear photograph of the entire front
Photograph of the reverse
Close-up of Haring’s signature
Edition number or proof designation
Full sheet and edges
Dimensions
Littmann reference, if known
Publisher or printer markings
Copyright stamps
Burroughs text sheets, if present
Portfolio box and title pages
Gallery or auction invoices
Provenance
Photographs of condition issues

If you own several Apocalypse prints, send photographs of all of them so we can determine whether they may form part of the same numbered set.

Frequently Asked Questions About Keith Haring Apocalypse

Are Keith Haring Apocalypse prints valuable?

Yes. Documented Apocalypse prints can have substantial collector value. The exact value depends on the plate, edition or proof type, condition, provenance and current collector demand.

How many prints are in Keith Haring’s Apocalypse series?

The complete Apocalypse portfolio contains 10 color screenprints.

How many Apocalypse sets were made?

The standard edition consisted of 90 numbered sets, plus 20 Artist’s Proofs and 5 Hors Commerce sets.

Did Keith Haring sign the Apocalypse prints?

Yes. Documented impressions are typically signed and dated in pencil by Keith Haring and numbered according to the edition.

Who wrote the text for Apocalypse?

The accompanying text was written by William S. Burroughs, who also signed the introduction page in documented complete sets.

Who published Keith Haring Apocalypse?

The portfolio was published by George Mulder Fine Arts, New York.

Can I sell a single Apocalypse print?

Yes. Individual Apocalypse plates are actively collected and sold separately. You do not need to own the full 10-print portfolio.

Is a complete Apocalypse set worth more than a single print?

A complete matching portfolio can have a substantially different market because complete suites are less frequently available and include the full collaboration with Burroughs. Matching edition numbers, condition, text pages, original portfolio materials and provenance all matter.

Considering Selling Your Keith Haring Apocalypse?

If you own a Keith Haring Apocalypse print, Artist’s Proof, Hors Commerce impression or complete 10-print portfolio and are considering selling it, send us clear photographs and any information you have.

We can review the exact plate, edition, signature, Littmann information, condition, provenance and relevant current market activity.

If the Keith Haring Apocalypse work is something we are interested in acquiring, we may provide a confidential direct purchase offer.