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

# John Sell Cotman (1782–1842)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 210 auction results for John Sell Cotman at 25 houses since 2000. Over the last 24 months the median price was $231 including buyer’s premium (middle half $149–$1,033, n=25). The auction record is $439,256 for Part of the Refectory of Walsingham Abbey, Norfolk (2016, Bonhams). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Part of the Refectory of Walsingham Abbey, Norfolk, 1842 | Colour on paper | $439,256 | Bonhams | Jul 2016 |
| 2 | Crambe Beck Bridge, Yorkshire, 1782 | Pencil | $165,100 | Christie's | Feb 2026 |
| 3 | In the Grampians, a drover with his dog and cattle beyond, 1782 | Pencil | $153,339 | Christie's | Jul 2017 |
| 4 | Greta Woods, North Yorkshire, 1782 | Pencil | $124,339 | Christie's | Jul 2015 |
| 5 | View of Howth and Ireland's Eye, 1782 | Pencil, watercolour and bodycolour, with flour paste and with scratching out, on wove paper | $69,668 | Christie's | Dec 2024 |
| 6 | Rievaulx Abbey, Yorkshire, 1782 | Pencil | $63,246 | Christie's | Jun 2006 |
| 7 | The Seine at Rouen looking towards Mont Sainte Catherine, 1782 | Pen, brown and red ink and watercolour over pencil with scratching out | $47,453 | Bonhams | Jul 2026 |
| 8 | A garden house on the banks of the river Yare, 1782 | Pencil | $40,786 | Christie's | Nov 2006 |
| 9 | Bristol, with the church of St Mary Redcliffe, 1782 | Watercolour with scratching out | $36,141 | Christie's | Jun 2006 |
| 10 | A ruined Roman aqueduct, 1782 | Pencil and watercolour on paper | $30,835 | Christie's | Dec 2007 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 6 | $5,469 |
| Other | 30 | $3,166 |
| Works on paper | 41 | $1,033 |
| Prints | 27 | $216 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 86 | $867 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 7 | $499 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 210 results from 25 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


John Sell Cotman is a British (modern) artist with 206 auction lots recorded since 1994, median price $476. 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 Sell Cotman sold in 2026 for $47,453, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 John Sell Cotman work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

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

## What is a John Sell Cotman work worth?

Across 175 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John Sell Cotman work is $476.

The median John Sell Cotman work on paper sells for $896 across 101 lots.

The median John Sell Cotman print sells for $187 across 65 lots.

The median John Sell Cotman painting sells for $2,048 across 18 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) John Sell Cotman work on papers typically sell for $305–$4,904 (the middle half of 94 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) John Sell Cotman prints typically sell for $123–$260 (the middle half of 36 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 | 72 | $187†‡ | $2,200 | 90.3% | 2026-06-20 |
| Paintings | 21 | $2,048†‡ | $24,837 | 85.7% | 2025-04-29 |
| Works on Paper | 130 | $896†‡ | $439,256 | 77.7% | 2026-07-01 |
| Photography | 3 | $848‡ | $848 | — | 2025-07-09 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 11 | $63,246 | $439,256 | — | 2026-07-01 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

John Sell Cotman's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (72 lots) median $187 with 90.3% sell-through. Paintings (21 lots) median $2,048, record $24,837. A typical John Sell Cotman painting sells for around 11× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 11 lots) the median is $63,246.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 36 | $123–$260†‡ | $188†‡ | $618‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $31–$101†‡ | $43†‡ | $1,704† |

† 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) | 12 | $1,975–$10,966† | $3,240† | $24,837 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $496–$1,264†‡ | $732†‡ | $2,226‡ |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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) | 94 | $305–$4,904†‡ | $896†‡ | $439,256 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2016 | $439,256 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $165,100 |
| Paintings | 2020 | $24,837 |
| Paintings | 2020 | $24,429 |
| Prints & Editions | 2006 | $2,200 |
| Prints & Editions | 2014 | $1,704† |
| Photography | 2025 | $848 |
| Photography | 2025 | $848 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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 Sell Cotman worth?

Across 175 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John Sell Cotman work is $476. The median John Sell Cotman work on paper sells for $896 across 101 lots. The median John Sell Cotman print sells for $187 across 65 lots. The median John Sell Cotman painting sells for $2,048 across 18 lots. Small (under 50 cm) John Sell Cotman work on papers typically sell for $305–$4,904 (the middle half of 94 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) John Sell Cotman prints typically sell for $123–$260 (the middle half of 36 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 Sell Cotman work on paper?

Based on 101 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Sell Cotman work on paper is $896. 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 Sell Cotman's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a John Sell Cotman work on paper is $439,256.

### What is the average price of a John Sell Cotman print?

Based on 65 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Sell Cotman print is $187. 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 Sell Cotman's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a John Sell Cotman print is $2,200.

### What is the average price of a John Sell Cotman painting?

Based on 18 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Sell Cotman painting is $2,048. 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 Sell Cotman's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a John Sell Cotman painting is $24,837.

### What is the average price of a small John Sell Cotman work on paper?

Based on 94 sold lots, the median auction price of a small John Sell Cotman work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $896, 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 Sell Cotman print?

Based on 36 sold lots, the median auction price of a small John Sell Cotman print (small (under 50 cm)) is $188, 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 Sell Cotman's auction record?

John Sell Cotman's auction record is $439,256, set in 2016.

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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 Sell Cotman auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/john-sell-cotman (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.