> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ernest-dowson · updated 2026-11-01

# Ernest DOWSON (1867–1900)

## What is Ernest DOWSON’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 7 auction results for Ernest DOWSON at 1 houses since 2025. Over the last 24 months the median price was $10,214 including buyer’s premium (middle half $6,192–$14,142, n=7). The auction record is $18,856 for 19 autograph letters signed ('Ernest Dowson') to Conal [O'Riordan], Paris, Catford and elsewhere, [November 1895 - 20 February 1900], mostly undated (2025, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 19 autograph letters signed ('Ernest Dowson') to Conal [O'Riordan], Paris, Catford and elsewhere, [November 1895 - 20 February 1900], mostly undated, 1867 | Together approx. 52 pages, various sizes, three written in pencil; with a letter by Alexander Teixeira de Mattos and three by R.H. Sherard, describing Dowson's last illness and death. Half green morocco box | $18,856 | Christie's | Feb 2025 |
| 2 | Twelve autograph letters signed ('Ernest Dowson') to [Victor Plarr], Bridge Dock, Limehouse, Yacht Rover near Norwich, 6 Featherstone Buildings, High Holborn, Le Faouet (Brittany) and Church End, South Woodford etc, 13 June 1892 - 20 December [1893], most undated, 1867 | Autograph letters | $12,571 | Christie's | Feb 2025 |
| 3 | Verses, 1867 | : Reginald Turner (1869-1938; authorial inscription on endpaper: 'Jan 27th 1899. To Reginald Turner from Ernest Dowson') — Barry Humphries (1934-2023; bookplate) | $10,214 | Christie's | Feb 2025 |
| 4 | Madame de Viole, 1867 | Manuscript | $8,642 | Christie's | Feb 2025 |
| 5 | Decorations: in Verse and Prose, 1867 | : Charles Conder (inscription on endpaper: 'To Charles Conder in memory of our dead friend the author. Leonard Smithers. April 1900') — Michael Holland (armorial bookplate) — Barry Humphries (1934-2023; bookplate) | $3,143 | Christie's | Feb 2025 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Verses, 1867 | Autograph poem ‘to The River Aven’ on fly in purple ink — dedication by Leonard Smithers on pastedown 'To [erased name] this book the author givest thee, But has not paid its price to me. Leonard Smithers its publisher, 25 January 1898' — J. O. Edwards (bookplate) — Peter Mendes (bookplate) — Barry Humphries (1934-2023; bookplate) | $15,714 | Christie's | Feb 2025 |
| 2 | Verses, 1867 | Vellum | $3,741 | Christie's | Feb 2025 |


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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $8,642 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 7 results from 1 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Ernest DOWSON is an artist with 7 auction lots recorded since 2025, median price $10,214.

A work by Ernest DOWSON sold in 2025 for $10,214, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Ernest DOWSON work worth?

Across 7 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ernest DOWSON work is $10,214.

The median Ernest DOWSON work on paper sells for $17,285 across 2 lots.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2 | $17,285 | $18,856 | — | 2025-02-13 |

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $18,856 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $15,714 |

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 Ernest DOWSON worth?

Across 7 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ernest DOWSON work is $10,214. The median Ernest DOWSON work on paper sells for $17,285 across 2 lots.

### What is Ernest DOWSON's auction record?

Ernest DOWSON's auction record is $18,856, set in 2025.

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Data last updated 2026-11-01. OpeningBid tracks 15,222,099 auction lots from 571 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Ernest DOWSON auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ernest-dowson (updated 2026-11-01).

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.