Frank McKelvey (1895–1974)
What is Frank McKelvey’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 304 auction results for Frank McKelvey at 12 houses since 1995. Over the last 24 months the median price was $4,611 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,096–$8,241, n=8). The auction record is $115,428 for Children Feeding Ducks (2001, James Adam Salesrooms). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Children Feeding Ducks, 1922 | Oil on canvas | $115,428 | James Adam Salesrooms | May 2001 |
| 2 | The bend in the river | Oil on canvas | $95,309 | James Adam Salesrooms | May 1999 |
| 3 | Woman and Children with Chickens, 1921 | Oil on canvas | $65,423 | James Adam Salesrooms | May 2007 |
| 4 | Farmyard Poultry | Oil on board | $52,984 | James Adam Salesrooms | Apr 2009 |
| 5 | Camlough Fair, the Clinching Bid, 1924 | Oil on board | $48,570 | James Adam Salesrooms | May 2013 |
| 6 | Age & Youth | Watercolour | $41,938 | James Adam Salesrooms | May 2007 |
| 7 | Back of the House - Woman feeding hens | Oil on canvas | $40,130 | James Adam Salesrooms | May 1999 |
| 8 | Children in the Park | Oil on canvas | $35,368 | James Adam Salesrooms | Mar 2013 |
| 9 | Tinker's Caravan on the Coast Road, Co. Donegal | Oil on canvas | $35,127 | James Adam Salesrooms | Jun 2010 |
| 10 | St Stephen's Green, Dublin, 1895 | Oil on canvas | $34,808 | Christie's | Apr 2007 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 117 | $9,803 |
| Works on paper | 29 | $1,881 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 91 | $10,273 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 56 | $3,885 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 304 results from 12 houses · How we compute these figures
Frank McKelvey is an Irish artist with 464 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $5,298. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.
A work by Frank McKelvey sold in 2026 for $20,067, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
1 Frank McKelvey work is coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Frank McKelvey free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Frank McKelvey record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Frank McKelvey on OpeningBid →What is a Frank McKelvey work worth?
Across 301 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Frank McKelvey work is $5,298.
The median Frank McKelvey painting sells for $7,386 across 195 lots.
The median Frank McKelvey work on paper sells for $1,394 across 57 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Frank McKelvey paintings typically sell for $4,223–$15,098 (the middle half of 141 sold lots).
Small (under 50 cm) Frank McKelvey paintings typically sell for $3,507–$8,507 (the middle half of 52 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 273 | $7,386†‡ | $115,428 | 71.4% | 2026-06-25 |
| Works on Paper | 101 | $1,394†‡ | $41,938 | 56.4% | 2025-05-12 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 16 | $37,749† | $115,428 | — | 2025-12-01 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 52 | $3,507–$8,507†‡ | $5,846†‡ | $48,570 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 141 | $4,223–$15,098†‡ | $9,281†‡ | $115,428 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 42 | $901–$2,413† | $1,310† | $41,938 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 15 | $1,107–$2,612†‡ | $1,881†‡ | $6,250† |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2001 | $115,428 |
| Paintings | 1999 | $95,309 |
| Works on Paper | 2007 | $41,938 |
| Works on Paper | 2007 | $16,775 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Frank McKelvey worth?
Across 301 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Frank McKelvey work is $5,298. The median Frank McKelvey painting sells for $7,386 across 195 lots. The median Frank McKelvey work on paper sells for $1,394 across 57 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Frank McKelvey paintings typically sell for $4,223–$15,098 (the middle half of 141 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Frank McKelvey paintings typically sell for $3,507–$8,507 (the middle half of 52 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 Frank McKelvey painting?
Based on 195 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Frank McKelvey painting is $7,386. 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 Frank McKelvey's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Frank McKelvey painting is $115,428.
What is the average price of a Frank McKelvey work on paper?
Based on 57 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Frank McKelvey work on paper is $1,394. 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 Frank McKelvey's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Frank McKelvey work on paper is $41,938.
What is the average price of a medium Frank McKelvey painting?
Based on 141 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Frank McKelvey painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $9,281, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 small Frank McKelvey painting?
Based on 52 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Frank McKelvey painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $5,846, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 Frank McKelvey's auction record?
Frank McKelvey's auction record is $115,428, set in 2001.
See the full Frank McKelvey record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Frank McKelvey on OpeningBid →