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

# Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)

## What is Samuel Johnson’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 40 auction results for Samuel Johnson at 15 houses since 1996. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,886 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,100–$2,572, n=5). The auction record is $3,200 for Elementa Philosophica (2026, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elementa Philosophica | Printed book | $3,200 | Sotheby's | Jun 2026 |
| 2 | A Dictionary of the English Language, 1765 | Contemporary mottled calf, rebacked preserving original spines folio | $2,572 | Bonhams | Jul 2026 |
| 3 | The Works of the English Poets, with Prefaces, Biographical and Critical, 1790 | Leatherbound, contemporary mottled calf | $1,886 | Bonhams | Jul 2026 |
| 4 | A Dictionary of the English Language, 1802 | Various octavo editions | $1,875 | Bonhams | May 2013 |
| 5 | The works of the English poets, from Chaucer to Cowper, 1810 | Leather | $1,462 | Sworders | Apr 2018 |
| 6 | A Dictionary of the English Language, 1816 | Marble | $1,250 | Bonhams | May 2013 |
| 7 | The R. B. Adam Library Relating to Dr. Samuel Johnson and His Era, 1929-1930 | 4 volumes [complete]. First 3 are 4to, cloth; dust jackets; slipcase. Volume 4 is 4to, 1/2 cloth | $1,200 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2002 |
| 8 | Works... Literary Club Edition, 1903 | 16 volumes, 8vo, 3/4 blue crushed levant morocco, spines slightly darkened, top edges gilt | $1,200 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2003 |
| 9 | Works... Literary Club Edition, 1903 | 16 volumes, 8vo, 3/4 blue crushed levant morocco, spines slightly darkened, top edges gilt | $1,200 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2003 |
| 10 | A Dictionary of the English Language in which the Words are Deduced from their Originals, 1785 | Leather-bound | $1,100 | Sworders | Jan 2026 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 14 | $1,200 |


Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 40 results from 15 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Samuel Johnson is an English artist with 26 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $875. 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 Samuel Johnson sold in 2026 for $2,572, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Samuel Johnson work worth?

Across 23 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Samuel Johnson work is $875.

The median Samuel Johnson print sells for $304 across 5 lots.

The median Samuel Johnson sculpture sells for $1,250 across 1 lots.

The median Samuel Johnson painting sells for $1,314 across 1 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 | 7 | $304†‡ | $699‡ | 71.4% | 2026-02-11 |
| Paintings | 1 | $1,314† | $1,314† | — | 2012-02-29 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $1,250 | $1,250 | — | 2013-05-19 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Samuel Johnson's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (7 lots) median $304 with 71.4% sell-through. Paintings (1 lots) median $1,314, record $1,314. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $1,314 (buyer's premium not included). A typical Samuel Johnson painting sells for around 4.3× the price of a typical print.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2012 | $1,314† |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2013 | $1,250 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $699‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2012 | $533† |

† 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 Samuel Johnson worth?

Across 23 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Samuel Johnson work is $875. The median Samuel Johnson print sells for $304 across 5 lots. The median Samuel Johnson sculpture sells for $1,250 across 1 lots. The median Samuel Johnson painting sells for $1,314 across 1 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 Samuel Johnson's auction record?

Samuel Johnson's auction record is $36,760, set in 2023. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $36,760 (buyer's premium not included).

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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, “Samuel Johnson auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/samuel-johnson (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.