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

# James McBey (1883–1959)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 130 auction results for James McBey at 24 houses since 1988. Over the last 24 months the median price was $725 including buyer’s premium (middle half $520–$1,631, n=13). The auction record is $32,161 for Portrait of Dacie (2020, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portrait of Dacie, 1914 | Oil paint | $32,161 | Christie's | Sep 2020 |
| 2 | HALF-LENGTH PORTRAIT OF FRANCES GRIPPER | Oil on canvas | $10,997 | Lyon & Turnbull | Jun 2023 |
| 3 | Estuary in morning Sunlight, 1884 | Oil paint | $9,706 | Christie's | Jul 2000 |
| 4 | The Music Room, 1853 | Oil paint | $9,619 | Christie's | Oct 2013 |
| 5 | BEAD-STRINGERS, VENICE, 1924 | Signed, inscribed and dated 1924, oil on canvas | $7,862 | Lyon & Turnbull | Jun 2026 |
| 6 | Tetuan, Morocco, 1912 | Watercolor | $6,625 | Christie's | Jun 2006 |
| 7 | Couple Playing Backgammon, 1884 | Oil paint | $4,942 | Christie's | Jul 2000 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barcarolle, 1926 | Etching | $6,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | Nov 2020 |
| 2 | Barcarolle, 1926 | Etching | $6,240 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2010 |
| 3 | Collection of Etchings, 1883 | Etching | $4,750 | Bonhams | Jul 2011 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 11 | $4,022 |
| Works on paper | 26 | $1,073 |
| Prints | 47 | $636 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 13 | $4,399 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 70 | $677 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 130 results from 24 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


James McBey is a British (modern) artist with 139 auction lots recorded since 1988, median price $598. 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 McBey sold in 2026 for $712, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a James McBey work worth?

Across 121 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James McBey work is $598.

The median James McBey print sells for $474 across 70 lots.

The median James McBey work on paper sells for $996 across 35 lots.

The median James McBey painting sells for $4,211 across 14 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) James McBey prints typically sell for $329–$711 (the middle half of 60 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) James McBey work on papers typically sell for $457–$1,942 (the middle half of 29 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 | 77 | $474†‡ | $6,750 | 90.9% | 2026-10-13 |
| Paintings | 16 | $4,211‡ | $32,161 | 87.5% | 2026-06-24 |
| Works on Paper | 42 | $996†‡ | $6,625 | 83.3% | 2026-02-11 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 7 | $9,619 | $32,161 | — | 2026-06-04 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

James McBey's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (77 lots) median $474 with 90.9% sell-through. Paintings (16 lots) median $4,211, record $32,161. A typical James McBey painting sells for around 8.9× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 7 lots) the median is $9,619.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 60 | $329–$711†‡ | $463†‡ | $6,750 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 10 | $4,116–$9,685‡ | $6,402‡ | $32,161 |

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

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 29 | $457–$1,942†‡ | $825†‡ | $6,625 |

† 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 | 2020 | $32,161 |
| Paintings | 2023 | $10,997 |
| Prints & Editions | 2020 | $6,750 |
| Works on Paper | 2006 | $6,625 |
| Prints & Editions | 2010 | $6,240 |
| Works on Paper | 2003 | $3,400 |

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 McBey worth?

Across 121 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James McBey work is $598. The median James McBey print sells for $474 across 70 lots. The median James McBey work on paper sells for $996 across 35 lots. The median James McBey painting sells for $4,211 across 14 lots. Small (under 50 cm) James McBey prints typically sell for $329–$711 (the middle half of 60 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) James McBey work on papers typically sell for $457–$1,942 (the middle half of 29 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 McBey print?

Based on 70 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James McBey print is $474. 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 McBey's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a James McBey print is $6,750.

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

Based on 35 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James McBey work on paper is $996. 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 McBey's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a James McBey work on paper is $6,625.

### What is the average price of a James McBey painting?

Based on 14 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James McBey painting is $4,211. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is James McBey's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a James McBey painting is $32,161.

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

Based on 60 sold lots, the median auction price of a small James McBey print (small (under 50 cm)) is $463, 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 small James McBey work on paper?

Based on 29 sold lots, the median auction price of a small James McBey work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $825, 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 McBey's auction record?

James McBey's auction record is $32,161, set in 2020.

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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 McBey auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-mcbey (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.