> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-edward-buttersworth · updated 2026-11-02

# James Edward Buttersworth (1817–1894)

## What is James Edward Buttersworth’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 76 auction results for James Edward Buttersworth at 12 houses since 1995. Over the last 24 months the median price was $15,810 including buyer’s premium (middle half $7,680–$66,923, n=6). The auction record is $542,400 for Yacht 'Orion' (2006, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yacht 'Orion', 1817 | Oil paint | $542,400 | Christie's | May 2006 |
| 2 | Volunteer and Thistle Off New York Harbor, America's Cup 1887, 1887 | Oil paint | $459,000 | Christie's | May 2019 |
| 3 | United States Ship of the Line Ohio, 1852 | Oil paint | $456,500 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 4 | Cornelia and Magic rounding buoy 8-1/2 22-1/4 x 34-1/8 in., 1817 | Oil on canvas | $341,000 | Bonhams | Jan 2015 |
| 5 | Two Schooners Racing in Heavy Seas; and The Dauntless, 1875 | Painting | $302,500 | Christie's | Dec 2008 |
| 6 | Racing off Sandy Hook, 1817 | Oil paint | $271,500 | Christie's | May 2017 |
| 7 | Hudson River Sloop Phillip R. Paulding, 1855 | Oil paint | $250,000 | Christie's | Oct 2020 |
| 8 | Yacht 'Sappho' Beating to Windward, 1817 | Oil paint | $240,000 | Christie's | May 2006 |
| 9 | Ariel with Josephine Behind, 1817 | Oil paint | $217,000 | Christie's | May 2008 |
| 10 | Picking Up the Pilot - Isle of Shoals, New Hampshire | Oil paint | $215,900 | Sotheby's | Jan 2024 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 66 | $54,875 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 25 | $83,650 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 35 | $40,000 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 76 results from 12 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


James Edward Buttersworth is an American artist with 78 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $54,875. 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 James Edward Buttersworth sold in 2026 for $88,900, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 James Edward Buttersworth work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [James Edward Buttersworth on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-edward-buttersworth?ref=kg:james-edward-buttersworth) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a James Edward Buttersworth work worth?

Across 68 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Edward Buttersworth work is $54,875.

The median James Edward Buttersworth painting sells for $54,875 across 64 lots.

The median James Edward Buttersworth print sells for $71 across 1 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) James Edward Buttersworth paintings typically sell for $21,250–$83,650 (the middle half of 37 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) James Edward Buttersworth paintings typically sell for $18,767–$160,500 (the middle half of 27 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 | 1 | $71 | $71 | — | 2009-01-22 |
| Paintings | 71 | $54,875†‡ | $542,400 | 90.1% | 2026-08-07 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 22 | $160,500‡ | $542,400 | — | 2024-01-19 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

James Edward Buttersworth's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (1 lots) median $71. Paintings (71 lots) median $54,875, record $542,400. A typical James Edward Buttersworth painting sells for around 773× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 22 lots) the median is $160,500.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 37 | $21,250–$83,650‡ | $40,000‡ | $542,400 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 27 | $18,767–$160,500†‡ | $82,250†‡ | $459,000 |

† 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 | 2006 | $542,400 |
| Paintings | 2019 | $459,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2009 | $71 |

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 James Edward Buttersworth worth?

Across 68 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Edward Buttersworth work is $54,875. The median James Edward Buttersworth painting sells for $54,875 across 64 lots. The median James Edward Buttersworth print sells for $71 across 1 lots. Small (under 50 cm) James Edward Buttersworth paintings typically sell for $21,250–$83,650 (the middle half of 37 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) James Edward Buttersworth paintings typically sell for $18,767–$160,500 (the middle half of 27 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 James Edward Buttersworth painting?

Based on 64 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Edward Buttersworth painting is $54,875. 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 James Edward Buttersworth's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a James Edward Buttersworth painting is $542,400.

### What is the average price of a small James Edward Buttersworth painting?

Based on 37 sold lots, the median auction price of a small James Edward Buttersworth painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $40,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a medium James Edward Buttersworth painting?

Based on 27 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium James Edward Buttersworth painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $82,250, 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 James Edward Buttersworth's auction record?

James Edward Buttersworth's auction record is $542,400, set in 2006.

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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, “James Edward Buttersworth auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-edward-buttersworth (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.