> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-lee-byars · updated 2026-11-01

# James Lee Byars (1932–1997)

James Lee Byars is an American artist with 13 auction lots recorded since 2016, median price $1,215. 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 Lee Byars is recorded as sold in 2024 for $2,811; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a James Lee Byars work worth?

Across 12 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Lee Byars work is $1,215.

The median James Lee Byars work on paper sells for $8,279 across 3 lots.

The median James Lee Byars print sells for $594 across 2 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 | 3 | $594 | $805 | 66.7% | 2022-11-17 |
| Works on Paper | 3 | $8,279† | $11,688 | — | 2022-09-19 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2016 | $11,688 |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $8,279 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $805 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $383 |

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 Lee Byars worth?

Across 12 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Lee Byars work is $1,215. The median James Lee Byars work on paper sells for $8,279 across 3 lots. The median James Lee Byars print sells for $594 across 2 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 James Lee Byars's auction record?

James Lee Byars's auction record is $11,688, set in 2016.

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Data last updated 2026-11-01. OpeningBid tracks 15,222,099 auction lots from 571 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “James Lee Byars auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-lee-byars (updated 2026-11-01).

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.