> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/thomas-w-benton · updated 2026-11-02

# Thomas W. Benton (1930–2007)

## What is Thomas W. Benton’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 42 auction results for Thomas W. Benton at 10 houses since 2017. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,003 including buyer’s premium (middle half $319–$4,318, n=6). The auction record is $6,000 for HUNTER S. THOMPSON / SHERIFF / ASPEN WALLPOSTER 5 (2023, Swann Auction Galleries). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HUNTER S. THOMPSON FOR SHERIFF / ASPEN, COLORADO, 1970 | — | $5,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | May 2022 |
| 2 | Hunter Thompson for Sheriff / Aspen, Colorado, 1970 | Practice proofs | $4,826 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2026 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HUNTER S. THOMPSON / SHERIFF / ASPEN WALLPOSTER 5, 1970 | Poster on paper | $6,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | May 2023 |
| 2 | Thompson for Sheriff / Aspen, Colorado, 1970 | Silkscreen poster | $4,572 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2026 |
| 3 | HUNTER THOMPSON FOR SHERIFF / ASPEN, COLORADO, 1970 | Pencil | $3,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2024 |
| 4 | Gonzo, 1971 | Silkscreen posters. Includes one poster and one "wash" | $3,556 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2026 |
| 5 | FAT CITY USA / [ASPEN WALLPOSTER 7], 1971 | Poster on paper | $2,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | May 2023 |
| 6 | PEACE, 1968 | Silkscreen on paper | $1,875 | Swann Auction Galleries | May 2023 |
| 7 | MAN AND CYBERNATION / ASPEN, 1970 | Silkscreen on paper | $1,125 | Swann Auction Galleries | May 2023 |
| 8 | THE WHOLE EARTH / LET THE SUNSHINE IN, 1968 | Silkscreen on Paper | $1,125 | Swann Auction Galleries | May 2023 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Prints | 20 | $822 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 19 | $687 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 42 results from 10 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Thomas W. Benton is an American artist with 62 auction lots recorded since 2007, median price $625. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Thomas W. Benton sold in 2026 for a hammer price of $17,000 (buyer's premium not included), according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Thomas W. Benton work worth?

Across 37 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Thomas W. Benton work is $625.

The median Thomas W. Benton print sells for $1,416 across 16 lots.

The median Thomas W. Benton work on paper sells for $668 across 8 lots.

Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 18 | $1,416† | $17,000† | 88.9% | 2026-06-30 |
| Works on Paper | 8 | $668 | $3,750 | — | 2024-02-29 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $6,000† | $17,000† | — | 2026-05-09 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 14 | $380–$2,588† | $822† | $17,000† |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $625–$1,125 | $668 | $3,750 |

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $17,000† |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $6,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $3,750 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $1,125 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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 Thomas W. Benton worth?

Across 37 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Thomas W. Benton work is $625. The median Thomas W. Benton print sells for $1,416 across 16 lots. The median Thomas W. Benton work on paper sells for $668 across 8 lots. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Thomas W. Benton print?

Based on 16 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Thomas W. Benton print is $1,416. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Thomas W. Benton's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Thomas W. Benton print is $17,000. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $17,000 (buyer's premium not included).

### What is the average price of a medium Thomas W. Benton print?

Based on 14 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Thomas W. Benton print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $822, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Thomas W. Benton's auction record?

Thomas W. Benton's auction record is $17,000, set in 2026. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $17,000 (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, “Thomas W. Benton auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/thomas-w-benton (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.