Emil James Bisttram (1895–1976)
What is Emil James Bisttram’s work worth?
As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 41 auction results for Emil James Bisttram at 9 houses since 1995. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,075 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,968–$5,689, n=11). The auction record is $30,750 for Marine Patterns (2025, Santa Fe Art Auction). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marine Patterns, 1950 | Oil on linen | $30,750 | Santa Fe Art Auction | Nov 2025 |
| 2 | Reflection, 1960, 1960 | Lacquer on panel | $17,220 | Santa Fe Art Auction | Nov 2024 |
| 3 | Storm Over Taos | Watercolor on paper | $8,625 | Skinner (Bonhams Skinner) | Mar 2000 |
| 4 | Self Portrait, 1895 | Oil on panel | $7,500 | Bonhams | Apr 2017 |
| 5 | MUSICAL THEME, 1963 | Oil on Masonite | $6,900 | Skinner (Bonhams Skinner) | Sep 1995 |
| 6 | Taos Mountain | Watercolor on paper | $6,765 | Santa Fe Art Auction | Nov 2024 |
| 7 | Desert Night, 1943 | Color pencils on paper | $6,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jun 2021 |
| 8 | Untitled, 1940, 1940 | Pastel, graphite on paper | $4,612 | Santa Fe Art Auction | Sep 2025 |
| 9 | Two of a Kind | Oil on canvas | $4,600 | Skinner (Bonhams Skinner) | Nov 1997 |
| 10 | BISTTRAM, Emil (1895-1976, American), circa 1960 | Oil Painting | $4,000 | Skinner (Bonhams Skinner) | Nov 1997 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 11 | $4,000 |
| Works on paper | 18 | $2,028 |
| Prints | 5 | $1,700 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 8 | $6,833 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 23 | $1,845 |
Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 41 results from 9 houses · How we compute these figures
Emil James Bisttram is an American artist with 54 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $2,036. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.
A work by Emil James Bisttram sold in 2026 for $2,767, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
3 Emil James Bisttram works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-03). Follow Emil James Bisttram free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Emil James Bisttram record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Emil James Bisttram on OpeningBid →What is a Emil James Bisttram work worth?
Across 39 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Emil James Bisttram work is $2,036.
The median Emil James Bisttram work on paper sells for $900 across 15 lots.
The median Emil James Bisttram painting sells for $4,000 across 9 lots.
The median Emil James Bisttram print sells for $1,700 across 4 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 | 4 | $1,700 | $2,176 | — | 2023-06-23 |
| Paintings | 12 | $4,000 | $30,750 | 75% | 2025-11-08 |
| Works on Paper | 25 | $900† | $8,625 | 60% | 2025-11-07 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Emil James Bisttram's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (4 lots) median $1,700. Paintings (12 lots) median $4,000, record $30,750. A typical Emil James Bisttram painting sells for around 2.4× the price of a typical print.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $2,015–$7,500 | $6,900 | $30,750 |
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $546–$2,234† | $856† | $6,750 |
† 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 | $30,750 |
| Works on Paper | 2000 | $8,625 |
| Paintings | 2017 | $7,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $6,750 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $2,176 |
| Prints & Editions | 2003 | $1,700 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Emil James Bisttram worth?
Across 39 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Emil James Bisttram work is $2,036. The median Emil James Bisttram work on paper sells for $900 across 15 lots. The median Emil James Bisttram painting sells for $4,000 across 9 lots. The median Emil James Bisttram print sells for $1,700 across 4 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 Emil James Bisttram work on paper?
Based on 15 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Emil James Bisttram work on paper is $900. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Emil James Bisttram's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Emil James Bisttram work on paper is $8,625.
What is the average price of a Emil James Bisttram painting?
Based on 9 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Emil James Bisttram painting is $4,000.
What is Emil James Bisttram's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Emil James Bisttram painting is $30,750.
What is the average price of a small Emil James Bisttram work on paper?
Based on 12 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Emil James Bisttram work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $856, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Emil James Bisttram's auction record?
Emil James Bisttram's auction record is $30,750, set in 2025.
See the full Emil James Bisttram record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Emil James Bisttram on OpeningBid →