> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/frank-mckelvey · updated 2026-11-02

# Frank McKelvey (1895–1974)

## What is Frank McKelvey’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 117 | $9,803 |
| Works on paper | 29 | $1,881 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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).

- [Frank McKelvey on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/frank-mckelvey?ref=kg:frank-mckelvey) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Frank McKelvey auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/frank-mckelvey (updated 2026-11-02).

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.