The Barry Lett Multiples are iconic in New Zealand art history. Initiated by art dealer Barry Lett in 1968, the prints were produced as a means to make art more accessible to a wider audience. The included frontispiece reads “The purpose of the set of multiples is to make available at a very low cost a collection of representative works by a number of New Zealand's leading artists.”

Lett invited twelve artists to participate, each creating prints that were produced as a limited series. The invited artists included both up-and-coming and established artists; many of whom have emerged as significant New Zealand artists - most notably Colin McCahon, Gordon Walters, Ralph Hotere and Milan Mrkusich.

At the pre-production price of just $35 for the full set, the Barry Lett Multiples were popular and could be found throughout New Zealand in homes, schools and public institutions. The exact number of sets produced is unknown. Although the sets were widely distributed, relatively few full sets have remained intact.  

The set includes a screen-print by Milan Mrkusich, Colin McCahon, Ralph Hotere, Toss Woollaston, Don Binney, Geoff Thornley, Ross Ritchie, Gordon Walters, Michael Illingworth, Robert Ellis, Michael Smither and Pat Hanly.