> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/john-steinbeck · updated 2026-11-01

# John Steinbeck (1902–1968)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 50 auction results for John Steinbeck at 11 houses since 1995. Over the last 24 months the median price was $4,864 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,785–$6,880, n=6). The auction record is $18,750 for The Grapes of Wrath (2007, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Grapes of Wrath, 1939 | 8vo, pictorial tan cloth | $15,600 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jun 2013 |
| 2 | The Moon is Down, 1942 | Original blue cloth lettered in blind and in silver; no dust jacket | $8,320 | Bonhams | Dec 2025 |
| 3 | Tortilla Flat, 1935 | Original beige cloth with stamped spine, colored topsedge, no dust jacket | $7,040 | Bonhams | Dec 2025 |
| 4 | The Long Valley, 1939 | Original orange half cloth, stamped spine, red toned top edge, no dust jacket | $6,400 | Bonhams | Dec 2025 |
| 5 | Tortilla Flat, 1935 | Publisher's greyish tan cloth stamped in blue | $3,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | Nov 2018 |
| 6 | To A God Unknown, 1933 | Original grey stamped cloth, deckled edges, blue painted top edge, no dust jacket | $3,328 | Bonhams | Dec 2025 |
| 7 | The Red Pony, 1937 | Publisher's original beige cloth printed in gray and red, glassine wrapper, original cardboard slipcase | $2,750 | Christie's | Jul 2007 |
| 8 | Burning Bright, 1950 | 8vo, cloth; dust jacket | $2,200 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2003 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Grapes of Wrath, 1902 | Octavo. Original cloth; pictorial dust jacket; custom box | $18,750 | Christie's | Jul 2007 |
| 2 | East of Eden, 1952 | Gilt-lettered green cloth | $2,250 | Neal Auction Company | Jun 2019 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 39 | $805 |


Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 50 results from 11 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


John Steinbeck is an artist with 53 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $720. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by John Steinbeck sold in 2025 for $3,328, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a John Steinbeck work worth?

Across 42 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John Steinbeck work is $720.

The median John Steinbeck print sells for $92 across 3 lots.

The median John Steinbeck sculpture sells for $137 across 1 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 | 3 | $92 | $866 | — | 2024-11-27 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $137 | $137 | — | 2014-12-07 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $15,600 | $18,750 | — | 2025-12-11 |

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $866 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2014 | $137 |
| Prints & Editions | 1997 | $92 |

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 Steinbeck worth?

Across 42 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John Steinbeck work is $720. The median John Steinbeck print sells for $92 across 3 lots. The median John Steinbeck sculpture sells for $137 across 1 lots. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

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

John Steinbeck's auction record is $18,750, set in 2007.

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