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

# Paul Sample (1896–1974)

## What is Paul Sample’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 9 | $13,750 |
| Works on paper | 6 | $1,313 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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).

- [Paul Sample on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/paul-sample?ref=kg:paul-sample) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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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, “Paul Sample auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/paul-sample (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.