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

# John Register (1939–1996)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 44 auction results for John Register at 7 houses since 2010. Over the last 24 months the median price was $51,565 including buyer’s premium (middle half $31,270–$132,138, n=6). The auction record is $255,000 for Restaurant by the Sea (2025, Bonhams). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Restaurant by the Sea, 1985 | Painting | $255,000 | Bonhams | Jun 2025 |
| 2 | Hopper Donuts, 1936 | Oil on canvas | $152,900 | Bonhams | Jun 2026 |
| 3 | Waiting Room for the Beyond, 1983 | Painting | $119,062 | Bonhams | Sep 2021 |
| 4 | Watching the Storm (Denver), 1988 | Painting | $106,325 | Bonhams | May 2019 |
| 5 | Oxnard Pizza, 1978, 1936 | Oil on canvas | $100,313 | Bonhams | Feb 2021 |
| 6 | Untitled (oil on canvas), 1939 | Painting | $93,750 | Bonhams | Oct 2013 |
| 7 | Orange Store Front, 1939 | Oil on canvas | $87,500 | Bonhams | Apr 2017 |
| 8 | Purple Chair, 1987 | Painting | $86,500 | Bonhams | Apr 2013 |
| 9 | Two Telephones, 1984 | Painting | $75,000 | Bonhams | Mar 2015 |
| 10 | View from the Train, 1982 | Oil paint | $69,850 | Sotheby's | Feb 2025 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 21 | $52,500 |
| Prints | 14 | $3,944 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 15 | $62,500 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 17 | $5,000 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $3,369 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 44 results from 7 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


John Register is an American artist with 57 auction lots recorded since 2010, median price $11,232. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by John Register sold in 2026 for $152,900, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a John Register work worth?

Across 44 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John Register work is $11,232.

The median John Register painting sells for $51,250 across 22 lots.

The median John Register print sells for $2,250 across 17 lots.

The median John Register work on paper sells for $22,675 across 2 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 | 20 | $2,250† | $5,250 | 85% | 2024-04-20 |
| Paintings | 27 | $51,250† | $255,000 | 81.5% | 2026-06-24 |
| Works on Paper | 2 | $22,675 | $31,325 | — | 2021-04-14 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $119,062 | $255,000 | — | 2026-06-24 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

John Register's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (20 lots) median $2,250 with 85% sell-through. Paintings (27 lots) median $51,250, record $255,000. A typical John Register painting sells for around 23× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 5 lots) the median is $119,062.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 12 | $1,726–$4,549† | $3,944† | $5,250 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $28,945–$64,281 | $40,428 | $152,900 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 13 | $50,000–$93,750 | $75,000 | $255,000 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2025 | $255,000 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $152,900 |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $31,325 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $14,025 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $5,250 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $5,000 |

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 Register worth?

Across 44 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John Register work is $11,232. The median John Register painting sells for $51,250 across 22 lots. The median John Register print sells for $2,250 across 17 lots. The median John Register work on paper sells for $22,675 across 2 lots. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a John Register painting?

Based on 22 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Register painting is $51,250. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is John Register's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a John Register painting is $255,000.

### What is the average price of a John Register print?

Based on 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Register print is $2,250. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is John Register's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a John Register print is $5,250.

### What is the average price of a large John Register painting?

Based on 13 sold lots, the median auction price of a large John Register painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $75,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is the average price of a medium John Register print?

Based on 12 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium John Register print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $3,944, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is John Register's auction record?

John Register's auction record is $255,000, set in 2025.

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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 Register auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/john-register (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.