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

# Ruskin Spear (1911–1990)

## What is Ruskin Spear’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 307 auction results for Ruskin Spear at 21 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,085 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,550–$5,799, n=44). The auction record is $57,016 for The Arty Tie (2003, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Arty Tie | Oil on board | $57,016 | Christie's | Nov 2003 |
| 2 | Strawberry Mousse, 1959 | Oil on board | $55,085 | Sworders | Mar 2026 |
| 3 | Strawberry Mousse, 1911 | Oil on board | $55,031 | Sworders | Jun 2026 |
| 4 | Sherry Bar Portrait, 1911 | Oil on canvas with collage | $48,384 | Sworders | Oct 2024 |
| 5 | Sir Winston Churchill | Oil on canvas | $46,458 | Sotheby's | Mar 2023 |
| 6 | Mr. Hollingberry's Canary, circa 1963 | Oil on canvas | $45,539 | Christie's | Oct 2010 |
| 7 | Hammersmith Bridge, 1978 | Oil on canvas | $34,845 | Christie's | Jan 2009 |
| 8 | Public House, 1949 | Oil on board Painted in | $28,320 | Chiswick Auctions | Jun 2026 |
| 9 | The Curious Cat, 1911 | Oil paint | $26,510 | Christie's | Mar 2010 |
| 10 | George and the Dragon, circa 1977 | Oil on board | $26,233 | Christie's | Dec 2012 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 176 | $4,954 |
| Other | 35 | $3,907 |
| Works on paper | 30 | $1,089 |
| Prints | 21 | $319 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 15 | $6,405 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 152 | $4,746 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 88 | $2,102 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 307 results from 21 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Ruskin Spear is a British (modern) artist with 339 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $3,552. 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 Ruskin Spear sold in 2026 for a hammer price of $6,909 (buyer's premium not included), according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Ruskin Spear work worth?

Across 295 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ruskin Spear work is $3,552.

The median Ruskin Spear painting sells for $4,556 across 213 lots.

The median Ruskin Spear work on paper sells for $1,125 across 44 lots.

The median Ruskin Spear print sells for $287 across 24 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Ruskin Spear paintings typically sell for $3,257–$9,267 (the middle half of 127 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Ruskin Spear paintings typically sell for $1,605–$4,293 (the middle half of 62 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 | 29 | $287† | $1,273 | 82.8% | 2026-07-28 |
| Paintings | 226 | $4,556†‡ | $57,016 | 94.2% | 2026-07-28 |
| Works on Paper | 52 | $1,125†‡ | $26,510 | 84.6% | 2026-06-30 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 16 | $27,415 | $57,016 | — | 2026-06-30 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

Ruskin Spear's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (29 lots) median $287 with 82.8% sell-through. Paintings (226 lots) median $4,556, record $57,016. A typical Ruskin Spear painting sells for around 16× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 16 lots) the median is $27,415.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 9 | $87–$311 | $197 | $782 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 15 | $223–$648† | $380† | $1,273 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 62 | $1,605–$4,293†‡ | $2,905†‡ | $22,462 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 127 | $3,257–$9,267†‡ | $6,047†‡ | $57,016 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 17 | $5,110–$16,830‡ | $6,405‡ | $45,539 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 30 | $385–$1,210†‡ | $932†‡ | $12,154 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 14 | $1,363–$2,943‡ | $2,259‡ | $26,510 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2003 | $57,016 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $55,085 |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $26,510 |
| Works on Paper | 2007 | $12,154 |
| Prints & Editions | 2012 | $1,273 |
| Prints & Editions | 2006 | $782 |

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 Ruskin Spear worth?

Across 295 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ruskin Spear work is $3,552. The median Ruskin Spear painting sells for $4,556 across 213 lots. The median Ruskin Spear work on paper sells for $1,125 across 44 lots. The median Ruskin Spear print sells for $287 across 24 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Ruskin Spear paintings typically sell for $3,257–$9,267 (the middle half of 127 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Ruskin Spear paintings typically sell for $1,605–$4,293 (the middle half of 62 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 Ruskin Spear painting?

Based on 213 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ruskin Spear painting is $4,556. 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 Ruskin Spear's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ruskin Spear painting is $57,016.

### What is the average price of a Ruskin Spear work on paper?

Based on 44 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ruskin Spear work on paper is $1,125. 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 Ruskin Spear's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ruskin Spear work on paper is $26,510.

### What is the average price of a Ruskin Spear print?

Based on 24 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ruskin Spear print is $287. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Ruskin Spear's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ruskin Spear print is $1,273.

### What is the average price of a medium Ruskin Spear painting?

Based on 127 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ruskin Spear painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $6,047, 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 small Ruskin Spear painting?

Based on 62 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ruskin Spear painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,905, 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 Ruskin Spear's auction record?

Ruskin Spear's auction record is $57,016, set in 2003.

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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, “Ruskin Spear auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ruskin-spear (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.