Wharton Esherick (1887–1970)
What is Wharton Esherick’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 236 auction results for Wharton Esherick at 13 houses since 2004. Over the last 24 months the median price was $12,720 including buyer’s premium (middle half $4,576–$21,107, n=8). The auction record is $100,800 for Content Daybed (2022, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Content Daybed, 1930s | Walnut | $100,800 | Sotheby's | Jun 2022 |
| 2 | Jeeter, 1934 | Horsehair | $91,700 | Rago Arts | Sep 2023 |
| 3 | Important corner cabinet for Marjorie Content, 1934 | Printing ink | $88,200 | Rago Arts | May 2023 |
| 4 | Spiral Staircase from the Michael Watson House, Pittsford, New York, 1930 | Oak | $83,160 | Sotheby's | Jun 2022 |
| 5 | Fireplace surround from the Elizabeth Hirsh Fleisher House, Philadelphia, 1954 | Walnut | $69,850 | Rago Arts | Sep 2025 |
| 6 | Dining Table, 1950 | Mahogany | $69,300 | Sotheby's | Jun 2022 |
| 7 | An Important Dining Table | Cherry wood | $65,000 | Sotheby's | Dec 2016 |
| 8 | Desk, 1945 | Walnut | $63,000 | Sotheby's | Jun 2022 |
| 9 | Exceptional step ladder, 1965 | Oak | $60,480 | Rago Arts | Jan 2023 |
| 10 | Goose, 1938 | Carved walnut | $60,000 | Rago Arts | Jan 2021 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 7 | $15,000 |
| Other | 155 | $13,750 |
| Paintings | 13 | $8,190 |
| Works on paper | 6 | $6,300 |
| Prints | 31 | $1,235 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 52 | $24,470 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 85 | $9,375 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 50 | $1,855 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 236 results from 13 houses · How we compute these figures
Wharton Esherick is an American artist with 289 auction lots recorded since 2004, median price $8,750. 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 Wharton Esherick sold in 2026 for $20,737, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Wharton Esherick record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Wharton Esherick on OpeningBid →What is a Wharton Esherick work worth?
Across 235 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Wharton Esherick work is $8,750.
The median Wharton Esherick print sells for $956 across 50 lots.
The median Wharton Esherick sculpture sells for $12,600 across 11 lots.
The median Wharton Esherick work on paper sells for $4,788 across 3 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Wharton Esherick prints typically sell for $500–$1,500 (the middle half of 46 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 | 57 | $956†‡ | $8,750 | 87.7% | 2024-11-19 |
| Works on Paper | 3 | $4,788 | $5,040 | — | 2023-09-21 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 15 | $12,600 | $91,700 | 73.3% | 2023-09-21 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 12 | $67,150 | $100,800 | — | 2025-09-18 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 46 | $500–$1,500†‡ | $928†‡ | $6,875 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2023 | $91,700 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2021 | $60,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $8,750 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $6,875 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $5,040 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $4,788 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Wharton Esherick worth?
Across 235 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Wharton Esherick work is $8,750. The median Wharton Esherick print sells for $956 across 50 lots. The median Wharton Esherick sculpture sells for $12,600 across 11 lots. The median Wharton Esherick work on paper sells for $4,788 across 3 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Wharton Esherick prints typically sell for $500–$1,500 (the middle half of 46 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 Wharton Esherick print?
Based on 50 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Wharton Esherick print is $956. 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 Wharton Esherick's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Wharton Esherick print is $8,750.
What is the average price of a Wharton Esherick sculpture?
Based on 11 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Wharton Esherick sculpture is $12,600.
What is Wharton Esherick's most expensive sculpture?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Wharton Esherick sculpture is $91,700.
What is the average price of a small Wharton Esherick print?
Based on 46 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Wharton Esherick print (small (under 50 cm)) is $928, 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 Wharton Esherick's auction record?
Wharton Esherick's auction record is $100,800, set in 2022.
See the full Wharton Esherick record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Wharton Esherick on OpeningBid →