> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-hardy-2 · updated 2026-11-03

# James (1832–1889)

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

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 21 auction results for James at 8 houses since 1991. Over the last 24 months the median price was $547 including buyer’s premium (middle half $277–$841, n=5). The auction record is $7,150 for THE DAY'S BAG/SCENE WITH DOGS AND GAME (1991, Skinner (Bonhams Skinner)). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | THE DAY'S BAG/SCENE WITH DOGS AND GAME, 1884 | Gouache and ink on paper | $7,150 | Skinner (Bonhams Skinner) | May 1991 |
| 2 | Naval Battle | Oil on panel | $1,840 | Neal Auction Company | Feb 2003 |
| 3 | A Quiet Rest | Oil on canvas | $1,481 | Sworders | May 2026 |
| 4 | Lobster, fish and a basket on a kitchen table, 19th century | Oil on canvas | $1,379 | Sworders | Apr 2023 |
| 5 | Marine Battle, late 20th c. | Oil on panel | $1,150 | Neal Auction Company | Jun 2003 |
| 6 | Brace of Gordon Setters | Oil on board | $841 | Sworders | May 2025 |
| 7 | Study of game | Oil on canvas | $547 | Cheffins Fine Art | Jun 2026 |
| 8 | GRANNY'S HELPER, 1866 | Watercolour | $403 | Sworders | Nov 2010 |
| 9 | Cutty Sark in Choppy Sea, view of a naval engagement, and A three master sailing ship leaving a harbour, 20th century | Oils on board | $378 | Sworders | Nov 2020 |
| 10 | A battle at sea, 1937 | Oil on canvas | $277 | Sworders | May 2025 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 10 | $995 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 7 | $1,150 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 21 results from 8 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


James is a British artist with 32 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $462. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by James sold in 2026 for $547, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a James work worth?

Across 18 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James work is $462.

The median James painting sells for $475 across 17 lots.

The median James work on paper sells for $169 across 4 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 | 22 | $475†‡ | $12,160‡ | 77.3% | 2026-06-24 |
| Works on Paper | 15 | $169†‡ | $403 | 26.7% | 2023-08-18 |

† 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) | 9 | $386–$475†‡ | $401†‡ | $7,150 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $480–$1,571‡ | $1,265‡ | $12,160‡ |

† 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 | 2013 | $12,160‡ |
| Paintings | 1991 | $7,150 |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $403 |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $250‡ |

‡ 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 worth?

Across 18 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James work is $462. The median James painting sells for $475 across 17 lots. The median James work on paper sells for $169 across 4 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 painting?

Based on 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James painting is $475. 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's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a James painting is $12,160. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

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

Based on 4 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James work on paper is $169. 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's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a James work on paper is $403.

### What is James's auction record?

James's auction record is $12,160, set in 2013. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “James auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-hardy-2 (updated 2026-11-03).

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.