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

# James Surls (b. 1943)

James Surls is an American artist with 26 auction lots recorded since 2013, median price $3,962. 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 Surls sold in 2023 for a hammer price of $20,000 (buyer's premium not included), according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a James Surls work worth?

Across 10 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Surls work is $3,962.

The median James Surls sculpture sells for $12,380 across 4 lots.

The median James Surls work on paper sells for $2,650 across 2 lots.

The median James Surls print sells for $606 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 | 2 | $606‡ | $750‡ | — | 2025-12-05 |
| Works on Paper | 2 | $2,650 | $4,800 | — | 2021-02-05 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 8 | $12,380† | $20,000† | 50% | 2023-07-29 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2023 | $20,000† |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2022 | $15,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $4,800 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $750‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $462 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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 Surls worth?

Across 10 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Surls work is $3,962. The median James Surls sculpture sells for $12,380 across 4 lots. The median James Surls work on paper sells for $2,650 across 2 lots. The median James Surls print sells for $606 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 Surls's auction record?

James Surls's auction record is $20,000, set in 2023. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $20,000 (buyer's premium not included).

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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 Surls auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-surls (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.