> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/elmer-needham · updated 2026-11-03

# Elmer Needham (b. 1922)

## What is Elmer Needham’s work worth? {#value}

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.

**Top auction records: paintings, drawings & sculpture**

| # | 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 |


**Median price by medium (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 63 | $89 |
| Other | 19 | $82 |

**Median price by size (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Elmer Needham auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/elmer-needham (updated 2026-11-03).

Historical auction data, not investment advice. Prices are premium-inclusive USD where the buyer's premium is recorded. Figures marked † are hammer prices (buyer's premium not included); ‡ marks a price whose basis is not yet verified. Non-USD results are converted at the sale month's rate.