Ed Ruscha’s “Cities Across the Globe,” a 1982 lithograph from the Global Edition/World Series, heads to Sotheby’s Contemporary Curated auction on October 7, 2026, with traders focused on whether it clears the $600k–$1.1M thresholds. Ruscha’s secondary market remains resilient following the 2024 record of $68.3 million for a major 1960s painting, with 1980s works on paper and prints frequently surpassing estimates amid 78–83% sell-through rates. Selective demand favors signature imagery and strong provenance, though mid-tier lots stay sensitive to condition and seasonal competition. Recent 2025–2026 results for comparable editions underscore steady institutional and collector interest, though this specific piece lacks direct recent comps. The market reflects aggregated trader assessment of these dynamics rather than a guarantee of outcome.