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

# Melvin Edwards (b. 1937)

## What is Melvin Edwards’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 37 auction results for Melvin Edwards at 11 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,696 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,250–$4,572, n=9). The auction record is $409,500 for Ile Ogun, Planetary, Road to Goma, Alterable (2023, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ile Ogun, Planetary, Road to Goma, Alterable, 2003 | Stainless steel | $409,500 | Christie's | May 2023 |
| 2 | Makatini, 1992 | Welded steel | $132,300 | Phillips | Nov 2022 |
| 3 | Monochromo, 1964 | Steel | $107,100 | Sotheby's | May 2021 |
| 4 | Untitled (from Lynch Fragments series), 1978 | Steel | $81,900 | Sotheby's | Mar 2022 |
| 5 | Night Talk, 1986 | Steel | $76,200 | Sotheby's | May 2025 |
| 6 | Lusaka, 1937 | Welded steel | $70,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2018 |
| 7 | Untitled (welded steel), 2004 | Welded steel | $60,480 | Sotheby's | Mar 2021 |
| 8 | 4 Day (from Lynch Fragments series), 1988 | Steel | $50,800 | Sotheby's | Sep 2023 |
| 9 | Untitled (sculpture) | Sculpture | $50,400 | Sotheby's | Dec 2020 |
| 10 | KASSINGA | Sculpture | $44,100 | Sotheby's | Dec 2020 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 14 | $55,640 |
| Prints | 12 | $1,313 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 14 | $47,450 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 17 | $1,625 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 37 results from 11 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Melvin Edwards is an American artist with 46 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $4,572. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Melvin Edwards sold in 2026 for $8,255, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 Melvin Edwards work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Melvin Edwards on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/melvin-edwards?ref=kg:melvin-edwards) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Melvin Edwards work worth?

Across 37 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Melvin Edwards work is $4,572.

The median Melvin Edwards print sells for $1,375 across 17 lots.

The median Melvin Edwards sculpture sells for $55,640 across 14 lots.

The median Melvin Edwards work on paper sells for $11,340 across 3 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 | 17 | $1,375† | $8,255 | — | 2026-10-01 |
| Paintings | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 | — | 2022-03-31 |
| Works on Paper | 3 | $11,340 | $25,200 | — | 2021-07-21 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 14 | $55,640 | $409,500 | — | 2025-05-16 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $132,300 | $409,500 | — | 2023-05-18 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Melvin Edwards's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (17 lots) median $1,375. Paintings (1 lots) median $4,000, record $4,000. A typical Melvin Edwards painting sells for around 2.9× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 3 lots) the median is $132,300.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 14 | $387–$1,603† | $1,250† | $4,000 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $39,525–$77,625 | $55,640 | $409,500 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2023 | $409,500 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2022 | $132,300 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $25,200 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $11,340 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $8,255 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $4,572 |
| Paintings | 2022 | $4,000 |

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 Melvin Edwards worth?

Across 37 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Melvin Edwards work is $4,572. The median Melvin Edwards print sells for $1,375 across 17 lots. The median Melvin Edwards sculpture sells for $55,640 across 14 lots. The median Melvin Edwards work on paper sells for $11,340 across 3 lots. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Melvin Edwards print?

Based on 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Melvin Edwards print is $1,375. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Melvin Edwards's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Melvin Edwards print is $8,255.

### What is the average price of a Melvin Edwards sculpture?

Based on 14 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Melvin Edwards sculpture is $55,640.

### What is Melvin Edwards's most expensive sculpture?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Melvin Edwards sculpture is $409,500.

### What is the average price of a medium Melvin Edwards print?

Based on 14 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Melvin Edwards print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,250, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a small Melvin Edwards sculpture?

Based on 12 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Melvin Edwards sculpture (small (under 50 cm)) is $55,640, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Melvin Edwards's auction record?

Melvin Edwards's auction record is $409,500, set in 2023.

---

Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Melvin Edwards auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/melvin-edwards (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.