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

# James Gillray (1757–1815)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 450 auction results for James Gillray at 28 houses since 1995. Over the last 24 months the median price was $514 including buyer’s premium (middle half $492–$839, n=71). The auction record is $21,409 for The Genuine Works of James Gillray, engraved by himself, in two volumes. London: Thomas M'Lean, 1830. [With:] – Illustrative Description of the Genuine Works of Mr. James Gillray. London: Thomas M'Lean, 1830. (2023, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.


**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Genuine Works of James Gillray, engraved by himself, in two volumes. London: Thomas M'Lean, 1830. [With:] – Illustrative Description of the Genuine Works of Mr. James Gillray. London: Thomas M'Lean, 1830., 1756 | : John Louis Ketterlinus, (1852-1932, owner of the Philadelphia-based Ketterlinus Printing House, later Ketterlinus Lithographic Manufacturing Company; bookplate) | $21,409 | Christie's | Jul 2023 |
| 2 | A Collection of Caricatures, 1757 | Etching | $12,260 | Bonhams | Dec 2015 |
| 3 | The Grand Coronation of Napoleone the 1st Emperor of France, from the Church of Notre Dame (BM 10362), 1815 | Etching | $11,189 | Bonhams | Dec 2019 |
| 4 | Ci-Devant Occupations-or-Madame Talian and the Empress Josephine Dancing Naked Before Barrass in the Winter of 1797.-a Fact!, 1815 | Etching | $10,699 | Bonhams | Dec 2019 |
| 5 | Presages of the Millenium; - with - The Destruction of the Faithful, 1815 | Engraving | $7,737 | Bonhams | Dec 2021 |
| 6 | The Hand-Writing upon the Wall, 1815 | Engraving | $7,432 | Bonhams | Dec 2019 |
| 7 | The Giant-Factotum Amusing Himself, 1756 | Engraving | $6,852 | Christie's | Dec 2014 |
| 8 | Phaeton alarm'd!, 1815 | Etching | $6,055 | Bonhams | Dec 2021 |
| 9 | The Zenith of French Glory, 1757 | Etching with hand colouring | $6,036 | Bonhams | Dec 2015 |
| 10 | A Collection of Caricatures including: Malagrida & Conspirators, consulting the Ghost of Oliver Cromwell; Triumphal Procession of Little Paul the Taylor upon his new Goose; Fortune Hunting; Patriot's deciding a Point of Honor!, 1756 | Handcoloured etchings | $6,034 | Christie's | Dec 2012 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Prints | 259 | $1,028 |
| Other | 11 | $551 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 15 | $1,589 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 241 | $1,000 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 450 results from 28 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


James Gillray is a British (modern) artist with 486 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $1,017. 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 Gillray sold in 2026 for $6,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

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

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

## What is a James Gillray work worth?

Across 367 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Gillray work is $1,017.

The median James Gillray print sells for $833 across 412 lots.

The median James Gillray work on paper sells for $2,535 across 4 lots.

The median James Gillray painting sells for $1,658 across 2 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) James Gillray prints typically sell for $411–$1,742 (the middle half of 367 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) James Gillray prints typically sell for $228–$2,065 (the middle half of 30 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 | 524 | $833†‡ | $29,254‡ | 78.6% | 2026-09-30 |
| Paintings | 5 | $1,658 | $2,495 | 40% | 2020-10-07 |
| Works on Paper | 5 | $2,535‡ | $6,000 | 80% | 2026-03-10 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 23 | $6,852‡ | $29,254‡ | — | 2026-03-10 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

James Gillray's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (524 lots) median $833 with 78.6% sell-through. Paintings (5 lots) median $1,658, record $2,495. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 23 lots) the median is $6,852.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 367 | $411–$1,742†‡ | $833†‡ | $29,254‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 30 | $228–$2,065†‡ | $1,026†‡ | $11,702‡ |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2015 | $29,254‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2015 | $16,382‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $6,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $2,535‡ |
| Paintings | 2019 | $2,495 |
| Paintings | 2020 | $821 |

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

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 Gillray worth?

Across 367 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Gillray work is $1,017. The median James Gillray print sells for $833 across 412 lots. The median James Gillray work on paper sells for $2,535 across 4 lots. The median James Gillray painting sells for $1,658 across 2 lots. Small (under 50 cm) James Gillray prints typically sell for $411–$1,742 (the middle half of 367 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) James Gillray prints typically sell for $228–$2,065 (the middle half of 30 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 Gillray print?

Based on 412 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Gillray print is $833. 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 Gillray's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a James Gillray print is $29,254. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a small James Gillray print?

Based on 367 sold lots, the median auction price of a small James Gillray print (small (under 50 cm)) is $833, 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 medium James Gillray print?

Based on 30 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium James Gillray print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,026, 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 Gillray's auction record?

James Gillray's auction record is $29,254, set in 2015. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

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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 Gillray auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-gillray (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.