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

# William Simpson (1823–1899)

William Simpson is a British (modern) artist with 52 auction lots recorded since 1999, median price $3,402. 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 William Simpson sold in 2026 for $5,147, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a William Simpson work worth?

Across 42 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William Simpson work is $3,402.

The median William Simpson work on paper sells for $3,402 across 32 lots.

The median William Simpson painting sells for $6,704 across 5 lots.

The median William Simpson print sells for $704 across 4 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) William Simpson work on papers typically sell for $1,870–$5,147 (the middle half of 29 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 | 4 | $704‡ | $7,958‡ | — | 2026-03-03 |
| Paintings | 5 | $6,704 | $7,769 | — | 2021-09-23 |
| Works on Paper | 36 | $3,402†‡ | $40,000 | 88.9% | 2026-07-15 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $13,291‡ | $40,000 | — | 2026-05-13 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

William Simpson's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (4 lots) median $704. Paintings (5 lots) median $6,704, record $7,769. A typical William Simpson painting sells for around 9.5× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 4 lots) the median is $13,291.

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 29 | $1,870–$5,147†‡ | $3,300†‡ | $16,511 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $40,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2012 | $16,511 |
| Prints & Editions | 2013 | $7,958‡ |
| Paintings | 2021 | $7,769 |
| Paintings | 2021 | $7,769 |
| Prints & Editions | 2010 | $737 |

‡ 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 William Simpson worth?

Across 42 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William Simpson work is $3,402. The median William Simpson work on paper sells for $3,402 across 32 lots. The median William Simpson painting sells for $6,704 across 5 lots. The median William Simpson print sells for $704 across 4 lots. Small (under 50 cm) William Simpson work on papers typically sell for $1,870–$5,147 (the middle half of 29 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 William Simpson work on paper?

Based on 32 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a William Simpson work on paper is $3,402. 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 William Simpson's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a William Simpson work on paper is $40,000.

### What is the average price of a small William Simpson work on paper?

Based on 29 sold lots, the median auction price of a small William Simpson work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,300, 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 William Simpson's auction record?

William Simpson's auction record is $40,000, set in 2017.

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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, “William Simpson auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-simpson (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.