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

# Elmer Wachtel (1864–1929)

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

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 40 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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 29 | $10,625 |
| Works on paper | 10 | $715 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 14 | $12,600 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 22 | $2,794 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 40 results from 11 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Elmer Wachtel is an American artist with 46 auction lots recorded since 2000, median price $7,875.

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 2026-11-03).

- [Elmer Wachtel on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/elmer-wachtel?ref=kg:elmer-wachtel) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Elmer Wachtel work worth?

Across 37 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Elmer Wachtel work is $7,875.

The median Elmer Wachtel painting sells for $10,312 across 28 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 | 30 | $10,312 | $47,500 | 93.3% | 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) | 14 | $4,128–$10,381 | $6,191 | $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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Elmer Wachtel worth?

Across 37 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Elmer Wachtel work is $7,875. The median Elmer Wachtel painting sells for $10,312 across 28 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 28 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Elmer Wachtel painting is $10,312.

### 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 small Elmer Wachtel painting?

Based on 14 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Elmer Wachtel painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $6,191, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### 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 Elmer Wachtel's auction record?

Elmer Wachtel's auction record is $47,500, set in 2017.

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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 Wachtel auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/elmer-wachtel (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.