What is a William R. James work on paper worth?
1892–1942 · Price guide from past auction results
Half of the 42 works by William R. James with a published auction price sold between $6,990Sign up free to see and $41,250Sign up free to see, and the median is $21,000Sign up free to see. For works on paper alone, the median is $13,360Sign up free to see across 34 sales. In the last five years the median was $28,500Sign up free to see across 34 sales. These are past auction results, not a valuation: medium, size, condition and provenance all change what a particular work brings.
William R. James prices by medium
- Auction results
- 42
- Sold rate
- 100%
- Active at auction
- 2006–2026
- Median price
- $21kSign up free to see
- Record price
- $990kSign up free to see Smoky and Clint, Scottsdale Art Auction, Apr 2026
| Medium | Priced sales | Typical range | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 34 | $6.6k–$32.3kSign up free to see | $13.4kSign up free to see |
| Paintings | 8 | $32.3k–$107kSign up free to see | $61.9kSign up free to see |
Top auction houses: Scottsdale Art Auction (32), Coeur d'Alene Art Auction (9), Bonhams (1)
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Typical range is the middle half of priced sales (USD at the sale-date rate). Past auction results, not a valuation.
Prices by size
| Size (longest side) | Priced sales | Typical range | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (under 30 cm) | 16 | $5.2k–$16.5kSign up free to see | $8.8kSign up free to see |
| Mid-size (30–75 cm) | 25 | $12.3k–$51kSign up free to see | $30kSign up free to see |
Recent William R. James sales
- Set of two (2): Lithograph and Letter with Sketches (and original envelopes), Pen & Ink — $1,800Sign up free to see, Scottsdale Art Auction, Aug 22, 2026
- Now - Getting Too High, Pen & Ink — $14,400Sign up free to see, Scottsdale Art Auction, Aug 22, 2026
- It Happens Once a Year, Pen & Ink — $10,800Sign up free to see, Scottsdale Art Auction, Aug 22, 2026
- When Ropes Sing, Pen & Ink — $15,600Sign up free to see, Scottsdale Art Auction, Aug 22, 2026
- Howdy Stranger, Pen & Ink — $5,400Sign up free to see, Scottsdale Art Auction, Aug 22, 2026
- Brad Drug a Few More Heavy Limbs Across the Fire, Pen & Ink — $6,600Sign up free to see, Scottsdale Art Auction, Aug 22, 2026
- My First Horse, Mixed Media — $19,200Sign up free to see, Scottsdale Art Auction, Aug 22, 2026
- A Real Bronco, Pen & Ink — $33,000Sign up free to see, Scottsdale Art Auction, Aug 22, 2026
Questions about William R. James prices
What is a William R. James work on paper worth?
Based on 42 priced auction sales recorded by ArtSell, works by William R. James have sold for a median of $21,000, and half of them sold between $6,990 and $41,250. For works on paper alone the median is $13,360 (34 sales). Medium, size, condition, subject and provenance all affect the price of a particular work; these are past auction results, not a valuation.
What is the most expensive work by William R. James sold at auction?
The highest price in ArtSell’s records is $990,000 for “Smoky and Clint” at Scottsdale Art Auction in April 2026.
Which William R. James medium sells for the most?
By median price, paintings lead with $61,875 (8 sales).
How often do William R. James works sell at auction?
100% of the 42 lots recorded between 2006 and 2026 sold.
How can I sell a William R. James work on paper?
Request a free auction estimate on ArtSell: send photos and details, and our specialists will reply with an estimate. There is no obligation.
ArtSell has recorded 42 auction results for William R. James between 2006 and 2026, and 42 of them sold (100%).
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