> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-ulmer-20th-century · updated 2026-11-01

# James Ulmer (b. 1981)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 20 auction results for James Ulmer at 4 houses since 2023. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,477 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,524–$3,207, n=8). The auction record is $5,080 for My Friend (2025, Los Angeles Modern Auctions). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | My Friend, 2022 | Acrylic paint | $5,080 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Sep 2025 |
| 2 | Perfect Timing, 2001 | Acrylic paint | $3,302 | Wright | Feb 2026 |
| 3 | Painting, 2021 | Acrylic paint | $3,175 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Mar 2025 |
| 4 | Sunrise, 2021 | Acrylic paint | $2,794 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Dec 2025 |
| 5 | Interesting Bird, 2021 | Tempera | $2,580 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Aug 2024 |
| 6 | Man with Balls, 2021 | Acrylic paint | $2,159 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Sep 2025 |
| 7 | Cowboy, 2017 | Acrylic paint | $1,524 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Sep 2025 |
| 8 | Untitled (four works), 2013 | Ink | $1,197 | Wright | May 2024 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deja Vu 1.0, 2021 | Silkscreen | $1,524 | Wright | Feb 2026 |
| 2 | Untitled (screenprint in colors and Flashe on paper), 2021 | Screenprint in colors | $1,260 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Apr 2023 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 8 | $2,687 |
| Prints | 5 | $504 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 8 | $1,842 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $625 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 20 results from 4 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


James Ulmer is an American artist with 64 auction lots recorded since 2022, median price $1,024. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by James Ulmer sold in 2026 for $1,524, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a James Ulmer work worth?

Across 20 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Ulmer work is $1,024.

The median James Ulmer painting sells for $1,842 across 12 lots.

The median James Ulmer print sells for $504 across 5 lots.

The median James Ulmer work on paper sells for $315 across 3 lots.

Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 6 | $504 | $1,524 | 83.3% | 2026-02-04 |
| Paintings | 13 | $1,842† | $5,080 | 92.3% | 2026-03-28 |
| Works on Paper | 3 | $315 | $1,197 | — | 2024-05-03 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

James Ulmer's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (6 lots) median $504 with 83.3% sell-through. Paintings (13 lots) median $1,842, record $5,080. A typical James Ulmer painting sells for around 3.7× the price of a typical print.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $624–$1,187† | $850† | $2,580 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2025 | $5,080 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $3,302 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $1,524 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $1,260 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $1,197 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $315 |

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 Ulmer worth?

Across 20 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Ulmer work is $1,024. The median James Ulmer painting sells for $1,842 across 12 lots. The median James Ulmer print sells for $504 across 5 lots. The median James Ulmer work on paper sells for $315 across 3 lots. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

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

Based on 12 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Ulmer painting is $1,842. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

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

The highest price recorded at auction for a James Ulmer painting is $5,080.

### What is James Ulmer's auction record?

James Ulmer's auction record is $5,080, set in 2025.

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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 Ulmer auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-ulmer-20th-century (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.