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

# Harold Speed (1872–1957)

## What is Harold Speed’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 63 auction results for Harold Speed at 11 houses since 2001. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,067 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,550–$2,303, n=6). The auction record is $49,282 for The heart of the city (2026, Bonhams). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The heart of the city, 1872 | Oil on canvas | $49,282 | Bonhams | Sep 2026 |
| 2 | Harold Speed (1872-1957) The Heart of the City Signed and dated 1942, also signed, titled and | Oil on canvas | $38,985 | Woolley and Wallis | Nov 2017 |
| 3 | The Bridge of Sighs, Venice | Oil | $29,951 | Christie's | Nov 2017 |
| 4 | Feeding the doves, 1872 | Oil on canvas | $5,539 | Sworders | Oct 2023 |
| 5 | Feeding the doves | Oil on canvas | $5,539 | Sworders | Oct 2023 |
| 6 | Harold Speed (1872-1957) Toledo Signed, titled and dated 1904 Oil on canvas 46 x 61cm ++Unlined, | Oil on canvas | $4,256 | Woolley and Wallis | Nov 2017 |
| 7 | Lady in Green, 1872 | Oil on canvas | $3,788 | Sworders | Dec 2023 |
| 8 | Lady in Green | — | $3,289 | Sotheby's | Mar 2007 |
| 9 | VENUS, 1872 | Sanguine chalk | $2,925 | Sworders | Jul 2018 |
| 10 | A garden with a classical statue beneath a pergola | Oil on canvas | $2,690 | Sworders | Oct 2023 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 39 | $950 |
| Other | 13 | $791 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 39 | $870 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $662 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 63 results from 11 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Harold Speed is a British (modern) artist with 78 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $870. 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 Harold Speed sold in 2026 for $49,282, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Harold Speed work worth?

Across 62 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Harold Speed work is $870.

The median Harold Speed painting sells for $950 across 38 lots.

The median Harold Speed work on paper sells for $673 across 18 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Harold Speed paintings typically sell for $843–$2,420 (the middle half of 28 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 | 50 | $950† | $29,951 | 76% | 2026-09-16 |
| Works on Paper | 19 | $673‡ | $2,925 | 94.7% | 2023-12-03 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $29,951 | $49,282 | — | 2026-09-23 |

† 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) | 8 | $453–$1,545 | $883 | $2,067 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 28 | $843–$2,420† | $950† | $5,539 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $202–$684‡ | $377‡ | $944 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 11 | $633–$831 | $760 | $2,925 |

‡ 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 | 2017 | $29,951 |
| Paintings | 2023 | $5,539 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $2,925 |
| Works on Paper | 2019 | $944 |

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 Harold Speed worth?

Across 62 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Harold Speed work is $870. The median Harold Speed painting sells for $950 across 38 lots. The median Harold Speed work on paper sells for $673 across 18 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Harold Speed paintings typically sell for $843–$2,420 (the middle half of 28 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 Harold Speed painting?

Based on 38 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Harold Speed painting is $950. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Harold Speed's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Harold Speed painting is $29,951.

### What is the average price of a Harold Speed work on paper?

Based on 18 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Harold Speed work on paper is $673. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Harold Speed's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Harold Speed work on paper is $2,925.

### What is the average price of a medium Harold Speed painting?

Based on 28 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Harold Speed painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $950, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a medium Harold Speed work on paper?

Based on 11 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Harold Speed work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $760, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Harold Speed's auction record?

Harold Speed's auction record is $49,282, set in 2026.

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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, “Harold Speed auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/harold-speed (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.