Elmer Wachtel (1864–1929)
What is Elmer Wachtel’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 39 auction results for Elmer Wachtel at 11 houses since 2000. Over the last 24 months the median price was $5,260 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,619–$6,112, n=12). The auction record is $47,500 for Hidden Valley (2017, Bonhams). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hidden Valley, 1920 | Painting | $47,500 | Bonhams | Nov 2017 |
| 2 | Santa Paula Valley, 1864 | Oil on canvas | $28,000 | Bonhams | Aug 2017 |
| 3 | Visitors to Mission San Juan Capistrano, 1864 | Painting | $26,250 | Bonhams | Nov 2017 |
| 4 | Canyon Solitude, 1864 | Painting | $25,000 | Bonhams | Apr 2017 |
| 5 | Santa Barbara | Oil on canvas | $21,590 | John Moran Auctioneers | Nov 2024 |
| 6 | Landscape with wildflowers | Oil on canvas | $13,970 | John Moran Auctioneers | May 2024 |
| 7 | Canyon stream, 1864 | Oil on canvas | $13,750 | Bonhams | Nov 2014 |
| 8 | Lake in the Eastern Sierras, 1924 | Oil on canvas | $12,700 | John Moran Auctioneers | Nov 2025 |
| 9 | Shadows on the hills, 1864 | Oil on canvas | $12,500 | Bonhams | Nov 2016 |
| 10 | flowers in California landscape | Oil on canvas | $12,100 | John Moran Auctioneers | Feb 2004 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 28 | $10,313 |
| Works on paper | 10 | $715 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 14 | $12,600 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 21 | $1,778 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 39 results from 11 houses · How we compute these figures
Elmer Wachtel is an American artist with 45 auction lots recorded since 2000, median price $7,000.
A work by Elmer Wachtel sold in 2025 for $12,700, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
5 Elmer Wachtel works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Elmer Wachtel free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Elmer Wachtel record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Elmer Wachtel on OpeningBid →What is a Elmer Wachtel work worth?
Across 36 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Elmer Wachtel work is $7,000.
The median Elmer Wachtel painting sells for $10,000 across 27 lots.
The median Elmer Wachtel work on paper sells for $625 across 9 lots.
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 29 | $10,000 | $47,500 | 93.1% | 2026-02-27 |
| Works on Paper | 9 | $625 | $2,880 | — | 2026-10-16 |
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $3,810–$8,750 | $6,032 | $12,100 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 13 | $10,625–$21,590 | $12,700 | $47,500 |
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $431–$826 | $598 | $1,763 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2017 | $47,500 |
| Paintings | 2017 | $26,250 |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $2,880 |
| Works on Paper | 2003 | $1,763 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Elmer Wachtel worth?
Across 36 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Elmer Wachtel work is $7,000. The median Elmer Wachtel painting sells for $10,000 across 27 lots. The median Elmer Wachtel work on paper sells for $625 across 9 lots.
What is the average price of a Elmer Wachtel painting?
Based on 27 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Elmer Wachtel painting is $10,000.
What is Elmer Wachtel's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Elmer Wachtel painting is $47,500.
What is the average price of a medium Elmer Wachtel painting?
Based on 13 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Elmer Wachtel painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $12,700, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is the average price of a small Elmer Wachtel painting?
Based on 13 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Elmer Wachtel painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $6,032, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is Elmer Wachtel's auction record?
Elmer Wachtel's auction record is $47,500, set in 2017.
See the full Elmer Wachtel record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Elmer Wachtel on OpeningBid →