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

# John Marin (1872–1953)

## What is John Marin’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 28 | $142,475 |
| Other | 36 | $31,000 |
| Works on paper | 112 | $21,250 |
| Prints | 132 | $2,400 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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).

- [John Marin on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/john-marin?ref=kg:john-marin) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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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, “John Marin auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/john-marin (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.