Ronald Searle (1920–2011)
What is Ronald Searle’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 131 auction results for Ronald Searle at 31 houses since 1988. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,157 including buyer’s premium (middle half $916–$4,080, n=13). The auction record is $29,303 for The Terror of St Trinian's (2025, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Terror of St Trinian's, circa 1952 | Illustrations | $29,303 | Sotheby's | Jul 2025 |
| 2 | SOULS IN TORMENT AT ST TRINIANS, 1954 | Pen and ink and washes | $9,420 | Sworders | Nov 2013 |
| 3 | The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery, 1920 | Watercolour | $8,374 | Bonhams | Jun 2014 |
| 4 | The Pair | Watercolor and ink on illustration board | $6,875 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jan 2014 |
| 5 | CAROL SINGING, 1952 | Pen and ink and watercolour | $6,296 | Sworders | Nov 2011 |
| 6 | Inefficient Cat Captured by an Astute Goldfish, 1920 | Watercolour | $6,142 | Bonhams | Nov 2024 |
| 7 | I'll never see you again | Ash | $6,051 | Chiswick Auctions | Dec 2020 |
| 8 | For the Toothache, 1920 | Watercolour | $5,757 | Bonhams | Mar 2025 |
| 9 | Two illustrations for "By Rocking-Chair Across America", 1959 | Pen | $5,632 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jan 2014 |
| 10 | Stowe, Vermont/A Skiing Scene | Mixed media | $4,312 | Skinner (Bonhams Skinner) | Feb 1998 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 10 | $3,018 |
| Works on paper | 39 | $2,100 |
| Prints | 23 | $563 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 45 | $1,481 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 27 | $750 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 131 results from 31 houses · How we compute these figures
Ronald Searle is a British (modern) artist with 128 auction lots recorded since 1988, median price $916. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.
A work by Ronald Searle sold in 2026 for $916, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Ronald Searle record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ronald Searle on OpeningBid →What is a Ronald Searle work worth?
Across 107 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ronald Searle work is $916.
The median Ronald Searle work on paper sells for $1,300 across 56 lots.
The median Ronald Searle print sells for $449 across 37 lots.
The median Ronald Searle painting sells for $2,184 across 8 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Ronald Searle work on papers typically sell for $696–$3,170 (the middle half of 49 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Ronald Searle prints typically sell for $312–$578 (the middle half of 31 sold lots).
Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 40 | $449†‡ | $2,250 | 92.5% | 2025-01-27 |
| Paintings | 8 | $2,184 | $8,374 | — | 2025-03-26 |
| Works on Paper | 60 | $1,300†‡ | $9,420 | 93.3% | 2026-03-31 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 7 | $7,328† | $29,303 | — | 2025-07-10 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Ronald Searle's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (40 lots) median $449 with 92.5% sell-through. Paintings (8 lots) median $2,184, record $8,374. A typical Ronald Searle painting sells for around 4.9× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 7 lots) the median is $7,328.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 31 | $312–$578†‡ | $474†‡ | $1,331‡ |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $512–$1,953 | $1,328 | $8,374 |
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 49 | $696–$3,170†‡ | $1,300†‡ | $9,420 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2013 | $9,420 |
| Paintings | 2014 | $8,374 |
| Works on Paper | 2012 | $7,328† |
| Paintings | 2024 | $6,142 |
| Prints & Editions | 2017 | $2,250 |
| Prints & Editions | 2015 | $1,331‡ |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Ronald Searle worth?
Across 107 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ronald Searle work is $916. The median Ronald Searle work on paper sells for $1,300 across 56 lots. The median Ronald Searle print sells for $449 across 37 lots. The median Ronald Searle painting sells for $2,184 across 8 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Ronald Searle work on papers typically sell for $696–$3,170 (the middle half of 49 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Ronald Searle prints typically sell for $312–$578 (the middle half of 31 sold lots). Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is the average price of a Ronald Searle work on paper?
Based on 56 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ronald Searle work on paper is $1,300. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is Ronald Searle's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ronald Searle work on paper is $9,420.
What is the average price of a Ronald Searle print?
Based on 37 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ronald Searle print is $449. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is Ronald Searle's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ronald Searle print is $2,250.
What is the average price of a small Ronald Searle work on paper?
Based on 49 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ronald Searle work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,300, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is the average price of a medium Ronald Searle print?
Based on 31 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ronald Searle print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $474, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is Ronald Searle's auction record?
Ronald Searle's auction record is $29,303, set in 2025.
See the full Ronald Searle record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ronald Searle on OpeningBid →