> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/walter-sanford · updated 2026-11-01

# Walter Sanford (1912–1987)

## What is Walter Sanford’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 17 auction results for Walter Sanford at 6 houses since 2012. Over the last 24 months the median price was $445 including buyer’s premium (middle half $397–$588, n=6). The auction record is $28,750 for Study in Black & White (2019, Swann Auction Galleries). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Study in Black & White, 1987 | Oil on masonite board | $28,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2019 |
| 2 | Tabu, 1951 | Oil on masonite | $9,375 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jun 2020 |
| 3 | We Will Count Nothing But Money, 1951 | Oil on masonite | $7,500 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jan 2020 |
| 4 | Untitled (Modernist Figure), 1960 | Mixed media with canvas and fabric collage on board | $4,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2021 |
| 5 | Sea Movement #2, 1987 | Oil on masonite board | $3,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2024 |
| 6 | Untitled (Abstraction), 1987 | Oil on paper | $3,600 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2012 |
| 7 | First Things, 1987 | Oil on canvas mounted on wood panel | $3,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Dec 2020 |
| 8 | Proscenium, 1963 | Oil on masonite | $2,860 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jun 2020 |
| 9 | Seated Nude (Artist's Wife), 1959 | Oil on board | $2,750 | Grogan & Company | Jun 2015 |
| 10 | 42nd & Broadway, 1964 | Wool | $635 | Wright | Dec 2025 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 14 | $2,805 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 9 | $2,860 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 17 results from 6 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Walter Sanford is an American artist with 22 auction lots recorded since 2012, median price $2,750. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Walter Sanford sold in 2024 for $3,750, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Walter Sanford work worth?

Across 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Walter Sanford work is $2,750.

The median Walter Sanford painting sells for $2,860 across 13 lots.

The median Walter Sanford work on paper sells for $4,750 across 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 13 | $2,860† | $28,750 | — | 2025-12-11 |
| Works on Paper | 1 | $4,750 | $4,750 | — | 2021-04-22 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 7 | $540–$5,625† | $2,860† | $9,375 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2019 | $28,750 |
| Paintings | 2020 | $9,375 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $4,750 |

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 Walter Sanford worth?

Across 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Walter Sanford work is $2,750. The median Walter Sanford painting sells for $2,860 across 13 lots. The median Walter Sanford work on paper sells for $4,750 across 1 lots. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Walter Sanford painting?

Based on 13 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Walter Sanford painting is $2,860. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Walter Sanford's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Walter Sanford painting is $28,750.

### What is Walter Sanford's auction record?

Walter Sanford's auction record is $28,750, set in 2019.

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Data last updated 2026-11-01. OpeningBid tracks 15,222,099 auction lots from 571 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Walter Sanford auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/walter-sanford (updated 2026-11-01).

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.