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

# Emmitt Thames (b. 1933)

## What is Emmitt Thames’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 74 auction results for Emmitt Thames at 3 houses since 2002. Over the last 24 months the median price was $750 including buyer’s premium (middle half $562–$1,085, n=10). The auction record is $4,687 for The Study (2026, Neal Auction Company). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Study, 1933 | Oil on canvas | $4,687 | Neal Auction Company | Sep 2026 |
| 2 | A Pail of Blueberries, 1933 | Watercolor on paper | $3,328 | Neal Auction Company | Jan 2024 |
| 3 | Fallen Apples, 1933 | Watercolor on paper | $2,688 | Neal Auction Company | Jan 2024 |
| 4 | Moon Madness, 1933 | Tempera on panel | $2,562 | Neal Auction Company | Sep 2020 |
| 5 | Still Life of Fruit and Vegetables with Chinese Porcelain, 1933 | Porcelain | $2,440 | Neal Auction Company | Jul 2016 |
| 6 | Barn, 1933 | Watercolor | $2,400 | Neal Auction Company | Oct 2008 |
| 7 | Bayou Portage, 1933 | Watercolor on paper | $2,196 | Neal Auction Company | Jan 2018 |
| 8 | Creek Bank, 1933 | Watercolor on paper | $2,196 | Neal Auction Company | Jan 2018 |
| 9 | Gathering Fallen Apples, 1933 | Watercolor on paper | $2,048 | Neal Auction Company | Mar 2018 |
| 10 | Moonrise, 1933 | Oil on canvas | $1,920 | Neal Auction Company | Apr 2021 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 12 | $1,260 |
| Works on paper | 59 | $896 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 63 | $915 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $832 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 74 results from 3 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Emmitt Thames is an American/Mississippi artist with 86 auction lots recorded since 2002, median price $915.

A work by Emmitt Thames sold in 2026 for $4,687, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Emmitt Thames work worth?

Across 71 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Emmitt Thames work is $915.

The median Emmitt Thames work on paper sells for $896 across 59 lots.

The median Emmitt Thames painting sells for $1,220 across 10 lots.

The median Emmitt Thames print sells for $108 across 2 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Emmitt Thames work on papers typically sell for $625–$1,342 (the middle half of 53 sold 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 | 2 | $108 | $160 | — | 2022-08-11 |
| Paintings | 12 | $1,220 | $2,562 | 83.3% | 2024-04-19 |
| Works on Paper | 72 | $896 | $3,328 | 81.9% | 2025-11-21 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $3,008 | $4,687 | — | 2026-09-11 |

Emmitt Thames's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (2 lots) median $108. Paintings (12 lots) median $1,220, record $2,562. A typical Emmitt Thames painting sells for around 11× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 4 lots) the median is $3,008.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $597–$2,050 | $1,178 | $2,562 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $562–$864 | $728 | $956 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 53 | $625–$1,342 | $915 | $3,328 |

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $3,328 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $2,688 |
| Paintings | 2020 | $2,562 |
| Paintings | 2016 | $2,440 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $160 |
| Prints & Editions | 2004 | $57 |

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 Emmitt Thames worth?

Across 71 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Emmitt Thames work is $915. The median Emmitt Thames work on paper sells for $896 across 59 lots. The median Emmitt Thames painting sells for $1,220 across 10 lots. The median Emmitt Thames print sells for $108 across 2 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Emmitt Thames work on papers typically sell for $625–$1,342 (the middle half of 53 sold 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 Emmitt Thames work on paper?

Based on 59 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Emmitt Thames work on paper is $896.

### What is Emmitt Thames's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Emmitt Thames work on paper is $3,328.

### What is the average price of a Emmitt Thames painting?

Based on 10 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Emmitt Thames painting is $1,220.

### What is Emmitt Thames's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Emmitt Thames painting is $2,562.

### What is the average price of a medium Emmitt Thames work on paper?

Based on 53 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Emmitt Thames work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $915, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Emmitt Thames's auction record?

Emmitt Thames's auction record is $3,328, set in 2024.

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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, “Emmitt Thames auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/emmitt-thames (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.