Mel Ramos (1935–2018)
What is Mel Ramos’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 1,135 auction results for Mel Ramos at 67 houses since 2000. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,397 including buyer’s premium (middle half $865–$2,330, n=67). The auction record is $888,217 for Peek-a-boo, Platinum #2 (2007, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peek-a-boo, Platinum #2, 1964 | Acrylic on canvas | $888,217 | Sotheby's | Jun 2007 |
| 2 | Pucci Pants | — | $819,120 | Sotheby's | Feb 2008 |
| 3 | Hunt for the Best, 1966 | Oil paint | $715,737 | Christie's | Feb 2020 |
| 4 | Polka Dotty | Oil on canvas and masonite | $713,000 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |
| 5 | Butterfinger | Oil on linen | $525,836 | Sotheby's | Jan 2013 |
| 6 | Saucey No. 2 | Oil on canvas | $517,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2007 |
| 7 | Hubba-Hubba | Oil on canvas | $493,000 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |
| 8 | The Princess, 1965 | Oil paint | $444,995 | Phillips | Jun 2019 |
| 9 | Rokeby Venus | — | $337,000 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |
| 10 | Red Hots Rita | Oil on canvas | $310,000 | Sotheby's | Mar 2016 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 42 | $130,519 |
| Sculpture | 15 | $41,255 |
| Works on paper | 40 | $6,770 |
| Other | 74 | $2,280 |
| Prints | 394 | $1,825 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 20 | $131,500 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 408 | $2,353 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 94 | $1,024 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 1,135 results from 67 houses · How we compute these figures
Mel Ramos is an American artist with 1,586 auction lots recorded since 1990, median price $1,758. 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 Mel Ramos is recorded as sold in 2026 for $2,458; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
11 Mel Ramos works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Mel Ramos free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Mel Ramos record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Mel Ramos on OpeningBid →What is a Mel Ramos work worth?
Across 1,087 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Mel Ramos work is $1,758.
The median Mel Ramos print sells for $1,625 across 685 lots.
The median Mel Ramos work on paper sells for $9,612 across 48 lots.
The median Mel Ramos painting sells for $128,169 across 34 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Mel Ramos prints typically sell for $1,140–$2,986 (the middle half of 563 sold lots).
Small (under 50 cm) Mel Ramos prints typically sell for $487–$1,256 (the middle half of 108 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 | 781 | $1,625†‡ | $27,246 | 87.7% | 2026-10-22 |
| Paintings | 47 | $128,169†‡ | $715,737 | 72.3% | 2024-07-17 |
| Works on Paper | 66 | $9,612†‡ | $85,000 | 72.7% | 2026-09-26 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 22 | $41,255 | $206,830 | 72.7% | 2026-09-03 |
| Photography | 3 | $668‡ | $2,573 | — | 2024-05-15 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 57 | $125,000†‡ | $888,217 | — | 2024-09-27 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Mel Ramos's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (781 lots) median $1,625 with 87.7% sell-through. Paintings (47 lots) median $128,169, record $715,737. A typical Mel Ramos painting sells for around 79× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 57 lots) the median is $125,000.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 108 | $487–$1,256†‡ | $769†‡ | $14,792 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 563 | $1,140–$2,986†‡ | $1,819†‡ | $27,246 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 13 | $88,894–$130,339†‡ | $109,940†‡ | $305,000 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 17 | $75,000–$284,800 | $174,470 | $715,737 |
† 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) | 16 | $3,560–$15,415†‡ | $7,532†‡ | $25,036‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 32 | $2,286–$31,190† | $11,455† | $85,000 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 14 | $18,337–$70,301 | $37,712 | $206,830 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2020 | $715,737 |
| Paintings | 2013 | $525,836 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2015 | $206,830 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2014 | $151,641 |
| Works on Paper | 2008 | $85,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2013 | $79,623 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $27,246 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $19,676‡ |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Mel Ramos worth?
Across 1,087 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Mel Ramos work is $1,758. The median Mel Ramos print sells for $1,625 across 685 lots. The median Mel Ramos work on paper sells for $9,612 across 48 lots. The median Mel Ramos painting sells for $128,169 across 34 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Mel Ramos prints typically sell for $1,140–$2,986 (the middle half of 563 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Mel Ramos prints typically sell for $487–$1,256 (the middle half of 108 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 Mel Ramos print?
Based on 685 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Mel Ramos print is $1,625. 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 Mel Ramos's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Mel Ramos print is $27,246.
What is the average price of a Mel Ramos work on paper?
Based on 48 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Mel Ramos work on paper is $9,612. 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 Mel Ramos's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Mel Ramos work on paper is $85,000.
What is the average price of a Mel Ramos painting?
Based on 34 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Mel Ramos painting is $128,169. 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 Mel Ramos's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Mel Ramos painting is $715,737.
What is the average price of a medium Mel Ramos print?
Based on 563 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Mel Ramos print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,819, 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 Mel Ramos print?
Based on 108 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Mel Ramos print (small (under 50 cm)) is $769, 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 Mel Ramos's auction record?
Mel Ramos's auction record is $888,217, set in 2007.
See the full Mel Ramos record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Mel Ramos on OpeningBid →