Elmer Needham (b. 1922)
What is Elmer Needham’s work worth?
As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 88 auction results for Elmer Needham at 1 houses since 2024. Over the last 24 months the median price was $81 including buyer’s premium (middle half $48–$143, n=70). The auction record is $2,022 for Watching (2025, Lawsons Auctioneers). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Watching, 1982 | Oil on board | $2,022 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Jan 2025 |
| 2 | Portrait of a Woman | Oil on board | $1,410 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Jan 2025 |
| 3 | Girl with Balloons | Oil on board | $720 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Sep 2026 |
| 4 | Woman with Hat | Oil on board | $397 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Oct 2024 |
| 5 | Portrait of a Woman | Oil on board | $323 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Oct 2024 |
| 6 | Untitled, Portrait (AF) | Oil on board | $317 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Feb 2025 |
| 7 | Owl | Oil on board | $309 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Sep 2025 |
| 8 | Untitled (Girl with Pet) | Oil and acrylic on canvas | $302 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Aug 2025 |
| 9 | Untitled (Green Lady) | Oil on board | $302 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Aug 2025 |
| 10 | Old Fossick | Oil on board | $262 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Apr 2025 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 63 | $89 |
| Other | 19 | $82 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 34 | $102 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 50 | $81 |
Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 88 results from 1 houses · How we compute these figures
Elmer Needham is an Australia artist with 91 auction lots recorded since 2024, median price $82.
A work by Elmer Needham sold in 2026 for $156, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Elmer Needham record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Elmer Needham on OpeningBid →What is a Elmer Needham work worth?
Across 81 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Elmer Needham work is $82.
The median Elmer Needham painting sells for $87 across 76 lots.
The median Elmer Needham work on paper sells for $39 across 3 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Elmer Needham paintings typically sell for $64–$153 (the middle half of 42 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Elmer Needham paintings typically sell for $64–$167 (the middle half of 34 sold lots).
Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 84 | $87 | $2,022 | 90.5% | 2026-10-04 |
| Works on Paper | 4 | $39 | $70 | 75% | 2025-04-09 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $720† | $2,022 | — | 2026-09-06 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 42 | $64–$153 | $81 | $2,022 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 34 | $64–$167 | $102 | $1,410 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2025 | $2,022 |
| Paintings | 2025 | $1,410 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $70 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $39 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Elmer Needham worth?
Across 81 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Elmer Needham work is $82. The median Elmer Needham painting sells for $87 across 76 lots. The median Elmer Needham work on paper sells for $39 across 3 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Elmer Needham paintings typically sell for $64–$153 (the middle half of 42 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Elmer Needham paintings typically sell for $64–$167 (the middle half of 34 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is the average price of a Elmer Needham painting?
Based on 76 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Elmer Needham painting is $87.
What is Elmer Needham's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Elmer Needham painting is $2,022.
What is the average price of a small Elmer Needham painting?
Based on 42 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Elmer Needham painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $81, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is the average price of a medium Elmer Needham painting?
Based on 34 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Elmer Needham painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $102, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is Elmer Needham's auction record?
Elmer Needham's auction record is $2,022, set in 2025.
See the full Elmer Needham record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Elmer Needham on OpeningBid →