James Gillray Auction Prices and Value Guide
James Gillray auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 1,771 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.
James Gillray auction prices: quick answer
James Gillray auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.
- Artist
- James Gillray
- Source records
- 1,771
- Market update
- 2026-02-06
Artist context
About James Gillray
James Gillray (1756–1815) was an English caricaturist and printmaker whose etched political and social satires made him one of the most influential graphic satirists of the Georgian era. Born in Chelsea, London, he trained as an engraver and began producing satirical prints in the 1780s, rising to prominence in the 1790s. His principal period of activity spanned roughly 1792 to 1810, during which he published hundreds of biting caricatures targeting King George III, Napoleon Bonaparte, leading politicians, and fashionable society. Working primarily in etching with hand-colouring, Gillray sold his prints through the shop of Hannah Humphrey in London's West End. His works are held by major institutions including the National Portrait Gallery, Tate, MoMA, and the Library of Congress, and he is widely regarded as a foundational figure in the history of British caricature and editorial cartooning.
Georgian-era political caricature and satireEtchingEngravingHand-coloured etched printsPolitical satireSocial satireCaricature portraits of British and European public figuresNapoleonic Wars and George III–era court figures
Common works and media
Gillray's surviving output consists almost entirely of hand-coloured etchings with engraving, typically published as single-sheet prints. Common subjects include satirical portraits of British and European political figures, scenes ridiculing court life and military campaigns, and social commentaries on fashion, drinking, and class. Prints were issued by Hannah Humphrey and often carry her publication line and date. Collectors may also encounter bound collections, later restrikes, reproductive engravings by followers, and exhibition catalogues reproducing his work.
Market and appraisal context
James Gillray has a deep and liquid auction market spanning over three decades, with 1,053 recorded lots and 845 priced results dating from March 1995 through April 2026. The market is well-distributed across major and regional houses including Bonhams, Christie's, Gorringes, Roseberys, Cheffins, and Dreweatts 1759. Realized prices range from as low as $10–25 for common or later-strike prints up to $72,000 for exceptional early impressions. The interquartile spread (P25 $275, median $598, P75 $1,100) shows that most individual prints trade in the mid-hundreds, while rare plates, bound folio collections, and fine early impressions command substantial premiums. Auction activity has increased noticeably: 34 lots in the most recent 12-month period versus 16 in the prior 12 months, suggesting renewed collector interest in Georgian-era satire. The market spans multiple currencies (USD, GBP, EUR, CAD, AUD), confirming genuinely international demand. Collectors should expect wide plate-to-plate price variation rather than a narrow artist-level average.
Auction categories and appraisal factors
Common auction categories
- Old Master Prints
- Works on Paper
- Etching
- Engraving
- Hand-coloured etched prints
Value drivers
- [object Object]
Appraisal caveats
- Gillray's output was large and many prints survive in multiple impression states; condition and impression quality vary widely and must be assessed individually.
- Later restrikes and reproductive copies exist; attribution should be verified against published catalogues.
- Market values span a very wide range depending on rarity, condition, and subject; comparable auction records should be consulted for specific works.
- Gillray's large output and the existence of restrikes, reproductive copies, and later colouring mean attribution and impression dating should always be verified by a specialist before purchase or appraisal.
Evidence
Sources for artist context
This source-grounded artist context passed Appraisily's promotion threshold: high confidence, strong sources.
- Library of Congress library authority
- RKD — Netherlands Institute for Art History library authority
- Wikidata library authority
- VIAF library authority
- The Museum of Modern Art museum or university
- Tate museum or university
Data basis
This page is built from Appraisily's public auction market index. Private transactions, incomplete sale feeds, and attribution changes may not be fully represented.
Artist value FAQ
How much is James Gillray worth?
Comparable public auction sales are the best starting point, but final value depends on the specific artwork, condition, size, medium, provenance, and attribution confidence.
Can Appraisily value my James Gillray artwork?
Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.