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

# William Steig (1907–2007)

## What is William Steig’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 30 | $1,094 |

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

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


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.

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

## 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.

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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 Steig auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-steig (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.