David Preston (b. 1948)
What is David Preston’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 34 auction results for David Preston at 4 houses since 2010. Over the last 24 months the median price was $471 including buyer’s premium (middle half $394–$725, n=10). The auction record is $1,660 for Cave's Hill (2025, Lawsons Auctioneers). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cave's Hill, 1975 | Oil on board | $1,660 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Sep 2025 |
| 2 | Marmalade Roses, 2006 | Oil on canvas | $1,062 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Jun 2026 |
| 3 | Petunias | Oil on linen | $624 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Sep 2026 |
| 4 | The House, 2008 | Pencil on paper | $478 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Oct 2026 |
| 5 | Sunflowers in Rainbow Lane, 1992 | Linocut | $464 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Jan 2026 |
| 6 | Study for Hill Near Hargraves, 1988 | Oil on canvas | $445 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Apr 2026 |
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black Cockatoo | Etching | $758 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Jan 2026 |
| 2 | Daisies | Digital silkscreen | $377 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Sep 2026 |
| 3 | White Cockatoo | Etching | $338 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Jan 2026 |
| 4 | Abstract | Aquatint | $21 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Dec 2025 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $478 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 34 results from 4 houses · How we compute these figures
David Preston is an Australia artist with 31 auction lots recorded since 2011, median price $445. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.
A work by David Preston sold in 2026 for $478, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full David Preston record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View David Preston on OpeningBid →What is a David Preston work worth?
Across 21 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a David Preston work is $445.
The median David Preston print sells for $379 across 20 lots.
The median David Preston painting sells for $535 across 6 lots.
The median David Preston work on paper sells for $478 across 1 lots.
Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 23 | $379† | $1,498† | 87% | 2026-01-21 |
| Paintings | 9 | $535† | $1,660 | 66.7% | 2026-09-16 |
| Works on Paper | 4 | $478 | $478 | 25% | 2026-10-04 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $229† | $229† | — | 2014-10-30 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
David Preston's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (23 lots) median $379 with 87% sell-through. Paintings (9 lots) median $535, record $1,660.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $199–$525† | $369† | $758 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 13 | $260–$464† | $384† | $1,498† |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2025 | $1,660 |
| Prints & Editions | 2018 | $1,498† |
| Paintings | 2026 | $1,062 |
| Prints & Editions | 2018 | $799† |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $478 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2014 | $229† |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a David Preston worth?
Across 21 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a David Preston work is $445. The median David Preston print sells for $379 across 20 lots. The median David Preston painting sells for $535 across 6 lots. The median David Preston work on paper sells for $478 across 1 lots. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is the average price of a David Preston print?
Based on 20 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a David Preston print is $379. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is David Preston's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a David Preston print is $1,498. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $1,498 (buyer's premium not included).
What is the average price of a medium David Preston print?
Based on 13 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium David Preston print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $384, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is David Preston's auction record?
David Preston's auction record is $1,660, set in 2025.
See the full David Preston record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View David Preston on OpeningBid →