William Steig (1907–2007)
What is William Steig’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 38 auction results for William Steig at 6 houses since 1992. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,905 including buyer’s premium (middle half $853–$2,486, n=7). The auction record is $8,000 for Collection of 15 pen and ink drawings (2006, Swann Auction Galleries). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Collection of 15 pen and ink drawings | Pen and ink | $8,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jun 2006 |
| 2 | 'Bats and Barnacles!' Ebenezer exclaimed..., 1974 | Mixed Media | $6,500 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jul 2020 |
| 3 | The Connoisseur, 1961 | Gouache on paper | $5,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Sep 2016 |
| 4 | Unused title page illustration for Gorky Rises, 1980 | Ink | $4,572 | Swann Auction Galleries | Dec 2025 |
| 5 | 'Bats and Barnacles!' Ebenezer exclaimed... | Mixed Media | $4,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jun 2021 |
| 6 | Who's a tyrant?, 1965 | Ink and wash on paper | $2,860 | Swann Auction Galleries | Dec 2024 |
| 7 | 4 drawings | Pen and ink and wash | $2,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jan 2016 |
| 8 | Illustrations, Group of 4 | Gouache on paper | $2,688 | Capsule Gallery Auction | Jun 2024 |
| 9 | Drudge, 1940 | Pen and ink on paper | $2,112 | Swann Auction Galleries | Dec 2025 |
| 10 | The Time Reader, 1950 | Pen and ink | $1,905 | Swann Auction Galleries | Dec 2025 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 30 | $1,094 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 32 | $1,094 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 38 results from 6 houses · How we compute these figures
William Steig is an American artist with 40 auction lots recorded since 1992, median price $1,000. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.
A work by William Steig sold in 2025 for $2,112, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full William Steig record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View William Steig on OpeningBid →What is a William Steig work worth?
Across 37 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William Steig work is $1,000.
The median William Steig work on paper sells for $1,062 across 31 lots.
The median William Steig print sells for $593 across 5 lots.
The median William Steig painting sells for $254 across 1 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) William Steig work on papers typically sell for $420–$1,880 (the middle half of 29 sold 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 | 5 | $593 | $6,500 | — | 2021-06-24 |
| Paintings | 1 | $254 | $254 | — | 2025-08-22 |
| Works on Paper | 32 | $1,062† | $8,000 | 96.9% | 2025-12-04 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
William Steig's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (5 lots) median $593. Paintings (1 lots) median $254, record $254.
Price by size
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 29 | $420–$1,880† | $1,062† | $8,000 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2006 | $8,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2020 | $6,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2016 | $5,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $4,000 |
| Paintings | 2025 | $254 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a William Steig worth?
Across 37 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William Steig work is $1,000. The median William Steig work on paper sells for $1,062 across 31 lots. The median William Steig print sells for $593 across 5 lots. The median William Steig painting sells for $254 across 1 lots. Small (under 50 cm) William Steig work on papers typically sell for $420–$1,880 (the middle half of 29 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is the average price of a William Steig work on paper?
Based on 31 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a William Steig work on paper is $1,062. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is William Steig's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a William Steig work on paper is $8,000.
What is the average price of a small William Steig work on paper?
Based on 29 sold lots, the median auction price of a small William Steig work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,062, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is William Steig's auction record?
William Steig's auction record is $8,000, set in 2006.
See the full William Steig record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View William Steig on OpeningBid →