John Marin (1872–1953)
What is John Marin’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 334 auction results for John Marin at 27 houses since 1991. Over the last 24 months the median price was $5,418 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,036–$32,415, n=23). The auction record is $1,925,500 for Lobster Boat, Cape Split, Maine (2023, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lobster Boat, Cape Split, Maine, 1938 | Oil paint | $1,925,500 | Christie's | Apr 2023 |
| 2 | My-Hell Raising Sea, 1941 | Oil paint | $1,572,500 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 3 | Sailboat, Brooklyn Bridge, New York Skyline, 1870 | Oil paint | $1,248,000 | Christie's | Dec 2005 |
| 4 | Movement in Brown with Sun | Oil on canvas | $992,500 | Sotheby's | Dec 2008 |
| 5 | New York Abstraction, 1934 | Oil paint | $913,500 | Christie's | Apr 2023 |
| 6 | Maine Sea with Island, 1870 | Oil paint | $665,000 | Christie's | Dec 2013 |
| 7 | Sea in Blue, Grey and Light Red, 1948 | Oil paint | $468,500 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 8 | New York Series: From Weehawken Heights | Oil on canvas | $386,500 | Sotheby's | Dec 2008 |
| 9 | Buildings, Downtown New York, 1870 | Watercolor | $312,000 | Christie's | May 2007 |
| 10 | Autumn, On the Road to Addison, Maine | Oil on canvas | $253,000 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 28 | $142,475 |
| Other | 36 | $31,000 |
| Works on paper | 112 | $21,250 |
| Prints | 132 | $2,400 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 49 | $68,500 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 233 | $4,800 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 334 results from 27 houses · How we compute these figures
John Marin is an American artist with 411 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $8,125. 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 John Marin sold in 2026 for a hammer price of $9,500 (buyer's premium not included), according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
2 John Marin works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow John Marin free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full John Marin record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View John Marin on OpeningBid →What is a John Marin work worth?
Across 328 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John Marin work is $8,125.
The median John Marin print sells for $2,250 across 143 lots.
The median John Marin work on paper sells for $22,590 across 138 lots.
The median John Marin painting sells for $76,625 across 36 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) John Marin prints typically sell for $1,230–$4,000 (the middle half of 137 sold lots).
Small (under 50 cm) John Marin work on papers typically sell for $6,000–$30,000 (the middle half of 89 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 | 162 | $2,250†‡ | $87,500 | 88.3% | 2026-09-24 |
| Paintings | 41 | $76,625‡ | $1.9M | 87.8% | 2025-04-17 |
| Works on Paper | 154 | $22,590†‡ | $312,000 | 89.6% | 2026-10-09 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $1,920 | $1,920 | — | 2005-02-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 32 | $176,400 | $1.9M | — | 2025-04-17 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
John Marin's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (162 lots) median $2,250 with 88.3% sell-through. Paintings (41 lots) median $76,625, record $1,925,500. A typical John Marin painting sells for around 34× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 32 lots) the median is $176,400.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 137 | $1,230–$4,000†‡ | $2,250†‡ | $87,500 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 21 | $9,375–$81,250‡ | $40,000‡ | $1.2M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 11 | $104,425–$566,750‡ | $185,000‡ | $1.9M |
‡ 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) | 89 | $6,000–$30,000†‡ | $11,970†‡ | $226,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 39 | $34,915–$108,800† | $52,500† | $312,000 |
† 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 | 2023 | $1.9M |
| Paintings | 2018 | $1.6M |
| Works on Paper | 2007 | $312,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2001 | $226,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $87,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2013 | $81,250 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2005 | $1,920 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a John Marin worth?
Across 328 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John Marin work is $8,125. The median John Marin print sells for $2,250 across 143 lots. The median John Marin work on paper sells for $22,590 across 138 lots. The median John Marin painting sells for $76,625 across 36 lots. Small (under 50 cm) John Marin prints typically sell for $1,230–$4,000 (the middle half of 137 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) John Marin work on papers typically sell for $6,000–$30,000 (the middle half of 89 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 John Marin print?
Based on 143 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Marin print is $2,250. 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 John Marin's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a John Marin print is $87,500.
What is the average price of a John Marin work on paper?
Based on 138 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Marin work on paper is $22,590. 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 John Marin's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a John Marin work on paper is $312,000.
What is the average price of a John Marin painting?
Based on 36 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Marin painting is $76,625. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is John Marin's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a John Marin painting is $1,925,500.
What is the average price of a small John Marin print?
Based on 137 sold lots, the median auction price of a small John Marin print (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,250, 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 John Marin work on paper?
Based on 89 sold lots, the median auction price of a small John Marin work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $11,970, 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 John Marin's auction record?
John Marin's auction record is $1,925,500, set in 2023.
See the full John Marin record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View John Marin on OpeningBid →