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

# Sam Zell (b. 1850)

## What is Sam Zell’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 26 auction results for Sam Zell at 4 houses since 2024. Over the last 24 months the median price was $744 including buyer’s premium (middle half $588–$1,320, n=22). The auction record is $3,406 for Sarbox (automaton) (2024, Toomey & Co.). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sarbox (automaton), 2006 | Automaton | $3,406 | Toomey & Co. | Apr 2024 |
| 2 | How Low Can You Go (Automaton), 2014 | Brass, molded plastic, cord | $1,778 | Toomey & Co. | Nov 2025 |
| 3 | How Low Can You Go (Automaton), 2014 | Brass, molded plastic, cord | $1,778 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Nov 2025 |
| 4 | Survival of the Fittest, 2009 | Cartridge brass | $1,764 | Toomey & Co. | Nov 2024 |
| 5 | Survival of the Fittest (Automaton), 2009 | Cartridge brass | $1,320 | Wright | Nov 2025 |
| 6 | Survival of the Fittest (Automaton), 2009 | Automaton | $1,320 | Toomey & Co. | Nov 2025 |
| 7 | Survival of the Fittest (Automaton), 2009 | Molded plastic, rubber, brass | $1,320 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Nov 2025 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | How Low Can You Go (Automaton), 2014 | Cartridge brass | $1,778 | Wright | Nov 2025 |
| 2 | Think It Over (automaton), 2010 | Books | $1,512 | Toomey & Co. | Nov 2024 |
| 3 | How Low Can You Go (automaton), 2014 | Cartridge brass | $1,245 | Toomey & Co. | Apr 2024 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 24 | $744 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 23 | $762 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 26 results from 4 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Sam Zell is an American artist with 13 auction lots recorded since 2024, median price $762.

A work by Sam Zell sold in 2025 for $1,778, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Sam Zell work worth?

Across 13 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Sam Zell work is $762.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $1,778 | $3,406 | — | 2025-11-05 |

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Sam Zell worth?

Across 13 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Sam Zell work is $762.

### What is Sam Zell's auction record?

Sam Zell's auction record is $3,406, set in 2024.

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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, “Sam Zell auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/sam-zell (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.