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

# Ronald Searle (1920–2011)

## What is Ronald Searle’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 10 | $3,018 |
| Works on paper | 39 | $2,100 |
| Prints | 23 | $563 |

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

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


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.

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

## 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.

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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, “Ronald Searle auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ronald-searle (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.