> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/hughie-lee-smith · updated 2026-11-02

# Hughie Lee-Smith (1915–1999)

## What is Hughie Lee-Smith’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 213 auction results for Hughie Lee-Smith at 13 houses since 2005. Over the last 24 months the median price was $9,900 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,782–$30,240, n=27). The auction record is $365,000 for Aftermath (2022, Swann Auction Galleries). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aftermath, 1960 | Oil on linen | $365,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Mar 2022 |
| 2 | Ball Player, 1999 | Oil on linen canvas | $341,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2024 |
| 3 | Quandary, 1997 | Oil on linen | $197,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Mar 2022 |
| 4 | Slum Song, 1999 | Oil on canvas | $180,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2007 |
| 5 | Girl Fleeing, 1999 | Oil on linen canvas | $173,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2025 |
| 6 | The Ribbon, 1960 | Oil on linen | $161,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2023 |
| 7 | Man with Balloons, 1999 | Oil on linen canvas | $149,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2018 |
| 8 | Performers, 1990 | Oil on linen | $143,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Dec 2015 |
| 9 | The End (The Pink Door), 1999 | Oil on linen canvas | $137,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2022 |
| 10 | The Watcher | Oil on canvas | $132,000 | Sotheby's | Jul 2024 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 105 | $42,500 |
| Works on paper | 61 | $5,250 |
| Prints | 37 | $3,500 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $106,250 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 112 | $28,800 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 84 | $5,390 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 213 results from 13 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Hughie Lee-Smith is an American artist with 242 auction lots recorded since 2005, median price $12,500. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Hughie Lee-Smith sold in 2026 for $24,130, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Hughie Lee-Smith work worth?

Across 212 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Hughie Lee-Smith work is $12,500.

The median Hughie Lee-Smith painting sells for $42,500 across 107 lots.

The median Hughie Lee-Smith work on paper sells for $5,265 across 60 lots.

The median Hughie Lee-Smith print sells for $3,120 across 42 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Hughie Lee-Smith paintings typically sell for $25,000–$85,938 (the middle half of 82 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Hughie Lee-Smith work on papers typically sell for $4,000–$8,400 (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 | 42 | $3,120† | $70,000 | — | 2026-10-01 |
| Paintings | 110 | $42,500† | $365,000 | 97.3% | 2026-10-01 |
| Works on Paper | 63 | $5,265† | $50,000 | 95.2% | 2026-04-02 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 22 | $119,375 | $365,000 | — | 2026-05-21 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Hughie Lee-Smith's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (42 lots) median $3,120. Paintings (110 lots) median $42,500, record $365,000. A typical Hughie Lee-Smith painting sells for around 14× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 22 lots) the median is $119,375.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $2,125–$3,048 | $3,000 | $5,588 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 28 | $2,406–$4,812† | $3,820† | $70,000 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 19 | $11,550–$32,880 | $18,750 | $100,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 82 | $25,000–$85,938† | $45,000† | $365,000 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $48,000–$137,000 | $106,250 | $197,000 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 53 | $4,000–$8,400† | $5,000† | $43,750 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $7,250–$17,500 | $10,000 | $50,000 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2022 | $365,000 |
| Paintings | 2024 | $341,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2014 | $70,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $50,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2019 | $43,750 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $10,625 |

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 Hughie Lee-Smith worth?

Across 212 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Hughie Lee-Smith work is $12,500. The median Hughie Lee-Smith painting sells for $42,500 across 107 lots. The median Hughie Lee-Smith work on paper sells for $5,265 across 60 lots. The median Hughie Lee-Smith print sells for $3,120 across 42 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Hughie Lee-Smith paintings typically sell for $25,000–$85,938 (the middle half of 82 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Hughie Lee-Smith work on papers typically sell for $4,000–$8,400 (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 Hughie Lee-Smith painting?

Based on 107 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Hughie Lee-Smith painting is $42,500. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Hughie Lee-Smith's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Hughie Lee-Smith painting is $365,000.

### What is the average price of a Hughie Lee-Smith work on paper?

Based on 60 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Hughie Lee-Smith work on paper is $5,265. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Hughie Lee-Smith's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Hughie Lee-Smith work on paper is $50,000.

### What is the average price of a Hughie Lee-Smith print?

Based on 42 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Hughie Lee-Smith print is $3,120. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Hughie Lee-Smith's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Hughie Lee-Smith print is $70,000.

### What is the average price of a medium Hughie Lee-Smith painting?

Based on 82 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Hughie Lee-Smith painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $45,000, 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 small Hughie Lee-Smith work on paper?

Based on 53 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Hughie Lee-Smith work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $5,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Hughie Lee-Smith's auction record?

Hughie Lee-Smith's auction record is $365,000, set in 2022.

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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, “Hughie Lee-Smith auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/hughie-lee-smith (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.