Paul Sample (1896–1974)
What is Paul Sample’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 22 auction results for Paul Sample at 12 houses since 2002. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,857 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,000–$9,600, n=5). The auction record is $37,500 for 'Red Hot Bar on Chain' and 'Worker Holding Curled Metal with Tongs' (2017, Bonhams). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 'Red Hot Bar on Chain' and 'Worker Holding Curled Metal with Tongs', 1936 | Painting | $37,500 | Bonhams | May 2017 |
| 2 | Devon Horse Show, 1896 | Oil paint | $31,070 | Christie's | Dec 2004 |
| 3 | The Clown, 1933 | — | $25,400 | Sotheby's | Oct 2023 |
| 4 | Rolling Barrels into the Rackhouse | Oil on canvas | $22,000 | Freeman's Hindman | Oct 2019 |
| 5 | The Silent Country #2, The River, 1896 | Oil paint | $21,510 | Christie's | Jul 2002 |
| 6 | PAUL SAMPLE, (American, 1896-1974), Brownington Center, VT, oil on canvas, 28 x 40 1/2 in., frame: 35 x 47 in. | Oil on canvas | $13,750 | Grogan & Company | Nov 2020 |
| 7 | Santa Paula Front Yard | Oil on canvas | $12,700 | John Moran Auctioneers | May 2026 |
| 8 | The Clown, 1933 | Oil on canvas | $12,000 | Sotheby's | Jul 2024 |
| 9 | Whiskey for Old Jim's Cold, 1896 | Oil on canvas | $9,600 | Bonhams | Apr 2026 |
| 10 | IRON ORE DERRICK, PENNSYLVANIA | Watercolor on paper | $8,750 | Sotheby's | Mar 2020 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 9 | $13,750 |
| Works on paper | 6 | $1,313 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 7 | $22,000 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $1,625 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 22 results from 12 houses · How we compute these figures
Paul Sample is an American artist with 24 auction lots recorded since 2002, median price $10,800.
A work by Paul Sample sold in 2026 for $12,700, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
1 Paul Sample work is coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Paul Sample free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Paul Sample record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Paul Sample on OpeningBid →What is a Paul Sample work worth?
Across 16 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Paul Sample work is $10,800.
The median Paul Sample work on paper sells for $1,312 across 7 lots.
The median Paul Sample painting sells for $13,225 across 8 lots.
The median Paul Sample print sells for $353 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 | 1 | $353 | $353 | — | 2006-09-15 |
| Paintings | 8 | $13,225 | $37,500 | — | 2026-05-05 |
| Works on Paper | 14 | $1,312† | $8,750 | 50% | 2025-03-06 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Paul Sample's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (1 lots) median $353. Paintings (8 lots) median $13,225, record $37,500. A typical Paul Sample painting sells for around 37× the price of a typical print.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $12,700–$31,070 | $13,750 | $37,500 |
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $450–$3,856† | $1,312† | $8,750 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2017 | $37,500 |
| Paintings | 2004 | $31,070 |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $8,750 |
| Works on Paper | 2008 | $4,600 |
| Prints & Editions | 2006 | $353 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Paul Sample worth?
Across 16 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Paul Sample work is $10,800. The median Paul Sample work on paper sells for $1,312 across 7 lots. The median Paul Sample painting sells for $13,225 across 8 lots. The median Paul Sample print sells for $353 across 1 lots. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is the average price of a Paul Sample work on paper?
Based on 7 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Paul Sample work on paper is $1,312. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Paul Sample's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Paul Sample work on paper is $8,750.
What is Paul Sample's auction record?
Paul Sample's auction record is $37,500, set in 2017.
See the full Paul Sample record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Paul Sample on OpeningBid →