> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/r-buckminster-fuller · updated 2026-11-02

# R. Buckminster Fuller (1895–1983)

## What is R. Buckminster Fuller’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 62 auction results for R. Buckminster Fuller at 6 houses since 2000. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,078 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,295–$7,509, n=12). The auction record is $43,750 for Tensegrity Sphere (2010, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tensegrity Sphere | Wooden dowels, aluminum and nylon | $43,750 | Sotheby's | Dec 2010 |
| 2 | Geodesic Tensegrity Sphere, 120 Strut, 4 Frequency Dome, 1980 | Sphere | $30,000 | Wright | Dec 2018 |
| 3 | Dymaxion blueprints, 1933 | Leather | $19,050 | Wright | Jun 2013 |
| 4 | Single-cell Jitterbug, 1976 | Aluminum | $15,360 | Wright | Aug 2026 |
| 5 | Geodesic Tensegrity Sphere, 120 Strut, 4 Frequency Dome, 1985 | Acrylic paint | $13,860 | Wright | Dec 2023 |
| 6 | Complex of Jitterbugs, 1976 | Aluminum | $13,200 | Wright | Mar 2006 |
| 7 | Minimum Dymaxion Home chassis, mast and stair elevations, 1931 | Pencil | $10,080 | Wright | Dec 2024 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Geodesic Tensegrity Sphere, 120 Strut, 4 Frequency Dome, 1982 | Tensegrity sphere | $17,500 | Wright | Dec 2020 |
| 2 | Inventions: Twelve Around One portfolio, 1928 | Screenprint | $17,500 | Wright | Mar 2014 |
| 3 | Inventions: Twelve Around One portfolio, 1928 | Screenprint | $13,860 | Wright | May 2023 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 15 | $7,200 |
| Other | 17 | $6,738 |
| Prints | 28 | $2,396 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $8,750 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 24 | $5,000 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 29 | $2,500 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 62 results from 6 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


R. Buckminster Fuller is an American artist with 78 auction lots recorded since 2000, median price $3,750.

A work by R. Buckminster Fuller sold in 2026 for $15,360, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a R. Buckminster Fuller work worth?

Across 62 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a R. Buckminster Fuller work is $3,750.

The median R. Buckminster Fuller print sells for $2,396 across 30 lots.

The median R. Buckminster Fuller sculpture sells for $7,200 across 15 lots.

The median R. Buckminster Fuller work on paper sells for $1,755 across 3 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) R. Buckminster Fuller prints typically sell for $1,594–$4,032 (the middle half of 24 sold lots).

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 37 | $2,396 | $17,500 | 81.1% | 2026-01-22 |
| Paintings | 1 | $13,860 | $13,860 | — | 2023-12-13 |
| Works on Paper | 7 | $1,755 | $10,080 | 42.9% | 2024-12-12 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 15 | $7,200 | $15,360 | — | 2026-08-13 |
| Photography | 3 | $2,125 | $3,250 | 66.7% | 2018-01-18 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $19,050 | $43,750 | — | 2020-12-17 |

R. Buckminster Fuller's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (37 lots) median $2,396 with 81.1% sell-through. Paintings (1 lots) median $13,860, record $13,860. A typical R. Buckminster Fuller painting sells for around 5.8× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 5 lots) the median is $19,050.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 24 | $1,594–$4,032 | $2,358 | $17,500 |

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 14 | $4,766–$8,066 | $6,108 | $15,360 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2014 | $17,500 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2026 | $15,360 |
| Paintings | 2023 | $13,860 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $13,860 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2006 | $13,200 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $10,080 |
| Photography | 2018 | $3,250 |
| Works on Paper | 2003 | $1,755 |

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 R. Buckminster Fuller worth?

Across 62 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a R. Buckminster Fuller work is $3,750. The median R. Buckminster Fuller print sells for $2,396 across 30 lots. The median R. Buckminster Fuller sculpture sells for $7,200 across 15 lots. The median R. Buckminster Fuller work on paper sells for $1,755 across 3 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) R. Buckminster Fuller prints typically sell for $1,594–$4,032 (the middle half of 24 sold lots).

### What is the average price of a R. Buckminster Fuller print?

Based on 30 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a R. Buckminster Fuller print is $2,396.

### What is R. Buckminster Fuller's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a R. Buckminster Fuller print is $17,500.

### What is the average price of a R. Buckminster Fuller sculpture?

Based on 15 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a R. Buckminster Fuller sculpture is $7,200.

### What is R. Buckminster Fuller's most expensive sculpture?

The highest price recorded at auction for a R. Buckminster Fuller sculpture is $15,360.

### What is the average price of a medium R. Buckminster Fuller print?

Based on 24 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium R. Buckminster Fuller print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $2,358, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is the average price of a small R. Buckminster Fuller sculpture?

Based on 14 sold lots, the median auction price of a small R. Buckminster Fuller sculpture (small (under 50 cm)) is $6,108, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is R. Buckminster Fuller's auction record?

R. Buckminster Fuller's auction record is $43,750, set in 2010.

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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, “R. Buckminster Fuller auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/r-buckminster-fuller (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.