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

# Polly Apfelbaum (b. 1955)

## What is Polly Apfelbaum’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 36 auction results for Polly Apfelbaum at 13 houses since 2004. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,218 including buyer’s premium (middle half $975–$5,171, n=8). The auction record is $11,079 for Rubbing Colours (2016, Phillips). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rubbing Colours, 1995 | Oil paint | $11,079 | Phillips | Dec 2016 |
| 2 | Baby Love 10; and Baby Love 11, 2005 | Two unique woodblock monoprints in colors, on Hiromi handmade Kozo paper, the full sheets | $10,795 | Phillips | Apr 2025 |
| 3 | Mixed Blooms, 2005 | Ink | $3,750 | Wright | Sep 2020 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Love Alley 4, 2012 | Woodcuts | $10,795 | Sotheby's | Apr 2024 |
| 2 | Love Me Tender VII, 2005 | Soak-stain technique | $7,560 | Sotheby's | Oct 2021 |
| 3 | Color Field Notes (Purple), 2009 | Woodcut in colors, on Osamu handmade Japanese triple thick paper, the full sheet | $6,300 | Phillips | Oct 2021 |
| 4 | Yellow; Gray; and Color Wheel, from Color Field Notes, 2009 | Three woodcuts in colors, Osamu (handmade Japanese triple thick paper), the full sheets | $6,300 | Phillips | Apr 2021 |
| 5 | Little Love 83, 2012 | Unique woodcut in colours, on Hiromi handmade paper, the full sheet | $5,204 | Phillips | Jan 2026 |
| 6 | Color Field Notes - Orange, 1619 | Woodcut in colors, on Japanese handmade paper, the full sheet | $5,160 | Phillips | Oct 2025 |
| 7 | Persephone (Pink), 2013 | Woodcuts | $5,000 | Rago Arts | Feb 2021 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Prints | 17 | $2,772 |
| Works on paper | 7 | $1,875 |
| Other | 5 | $1,800 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 15 | $3,750 |
| Large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $3,750 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $1,375 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 36 results from 13 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Polly Apfelbaum is an American artist with 42 auction lots recorded since 2004, median price $1,875. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Polly Apfelbaum sold in 2026 for $5,204, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

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

- [Polly Apfelbaum on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/polly-apfelbaum?ref=kg:polly-apfelbaum) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Polly Apfelbaum work worth?

Across 36 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Polly Apfelbaum work is $1,875.

The median Polly Apfelbaum print sells for $2,250 across 21 lots.

The median Polly Apfelbaum work on paper sells for $1,875 across 5 lots.

The median Polly Apfelbaum sculpture sells for $1,650 across 2 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 | 22 | $2,250† | $10,795 | 95.5% | 2026-10-20 |
| Works on Paper | 5 | $1,875 | $3,750 | — | 2025-12-16 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 3 | $1,650 | $1,800 | 66.7% | 2022-06-08 |
| Photography | 1 | $850 | $850 | — | 2026-10-20 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $10,795 | $11,079 | — | 2025-04-16 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $722–$1,602† | $1,375† | $2,772 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 11 | $2,302–$6,300 | $5,160 | $10,795 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $10,795 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $10,795 |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $3,750 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $3,471 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2022 | $1,800 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2019 | $1,500 |
| Photography | 2026 | $1,096 |

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 Polly Apfelbaum worth?

Across 36 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Polly Apfelbaum work is $1,875. The median Polly Apfelbaum print sells for $2,250 across 21 lots. The median Polly Apfelbaum work on paper sells for $1,875 across 5 lots. The median Polly Apfelbaum sculpture sells for $1,650 across 2 lots. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Polly Apfelbaum print?

Based on 21 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Polly Apfelbaum print is $2,250. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Polly Apfelbaum's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Polly Apfelbaum print is $10,795.

### What is the average price of a medium Polly Apfelbaum print?

Based on 11 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Polly Apfelbaum print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $5,160, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Polly Apfelbaum's auction record?

Polly Apfelbaum's auction record is $11,079, set in 2016.

---

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

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Polly Apfelbaum auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/polly-apfelbaum (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.