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

# Wharton Esherick (1887–1970)

## What is Wharton Esherick’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| 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 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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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, “Wharton Esherick auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/wharton-esherick (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.