Prideaux John Selby Auction Prices and Value Guide

Prideaux John Selby auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 503 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.

Prideaux John Selby auction prices: quick answer

Prideaux John Selby auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.

Artist
Prideaux John Selby
Source records
503
Market update
2026-02-16

Artist context

About Prideaux John Selby

Prideaux John Selby (1788–1867) was an English ornithologist, botanist, and natural history artist based in Northumberland. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Linnean Society of London, Selby devoted his career to the study and illustration of British birdlife. Born in Alnwick and later residing at Twizell Castle, he combined field observation with artistic skill to produce finely detailed paintings, drawings, and engravings of birds and botanical specimens. His work belongs to the distinguished tradition of early nineteenth-century British natural history illustration, alongside contemporaries such as John James Audubon and John Gould. Selby's ornithological plates are recognized for their accuracy of form and sensitive hand-coloring, making them enduringly sought after by collectors of natural history art.

British natural history illustration tradition (early 19th century)Hand-colored engravingsPaintingDrawingBirds and ornithological subjectsBotanical subjects

Common works and media

Selby's auction and appraisal appearances are dominated by hand-colored engraved plates of British birds, typically life-sized depictions on large folio paper. Paintings and drawings of bird subjects also surface, though less frequently than the printed plates. Botanical illustrations and watercolors are less commonly encountered. Collectors may also find later compilation editions and reproductions, which should be distinguished from original lifetime engravings when assessing value.

Market and appraisal context

Selby's hand-colored ornithological engravings appear regularly at auction, most often as individual plates from his published folios. Value depends on the plate's subject, the quality and freshness of its hand-coloring, paper condition, and whether it is an original lifetime impression or a later re-strike. Complete bound volumes or folio sets command significant premiums over dispersed single plates. Collectors should verify attribution carefully, as Selby's compositions have been reproduced in various editions. Provenance linking plates to notable collections can also affect appraised value.

Auction categories and appraisal factors

Common auction categories

  • Natural history prints and plates
  • Old Master and British works on paper

Value drivers

  1. Condition and quality of hand-coloring on engraved plates
  2. Completeness of multi-plate series or folio sets
  3. Attribution and authentication of original engravings versus later reprints

Appraisal caveats

  • The source pack does not include specific realized auction prices; valuation guidance is general. Consult recent comparable lots from major auction houses for current market data.
  • Selby's engraved ornithological plates were issued in editions; factors such as plate marks, paper type, and colorist quality significantly affect value.

Evidence

Sources for artist context

This source-grounded artist context passed Appraisily's promotion threshold: high confidence, strong sources.

Source-grounded artist Markdown

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.

LLM-readable Markdown summary for Prideaux John Selby

LLM summary index · LLM full index

Artist value FAQ

How much is Prideaux John Selby 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 Prideaux John Selby artwork?

Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.