Richard Simkin Auction Prices and Value Guide

Richard Simkin auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 275 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.

Richard Simkin auction prices: quick answer

Richard Simkin auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.

Artist
Richard Simkin
Source records
275
Market update
2026-02-16

Artist context

About Richard Simkin

Richard Simkin (1840–1926) was a British painter and watercolourist best known for his detailed illustrations of British military uniforms. Active during the late Victorian and Edwardian periods, Simkin specialised in depicting the regiments, cavalry, and infantry of the British Army with an emphasis on accurate dress and accoutrements. His work appeared in numerous illustrated publications and military reference books, making him one of the most recognised uniform illustrators of his era. Simkin died in Herne Bay, England, in 1926. His visual record of regimental dress is regularly cited by military historians, collectors, and re-enactors, and his original watercolours and drawings continue to circulate in the art and militaria market.

Military art and uniform illustration (Victorian and Edwardian eras)WatercolourOil paintingInk and print illustrationMilitary uniforms and regaliaMilitary genre scenes

Common works and media

Simkin's most commonly encountered works include watercolour and ink uniform studies of British Army regiments — cavalry, infantry, and Guards — often presented as individual plates or series. Printed reproductions of his illustrations appear in bound military reference volumes and ephemera. Original watercolours on paper are less common but surface regularly in specialist militaria and works-on-paper sales. Collectors may also encounter postcards, reproduced prints, and book illustrations attributed to Simkin.

Market and appraisal context

Richard Simkin's work appears at auction primarily as watercolours, ink drawings, and printed illustrations of British military subjects. Value depends heavily on whether a piece is an original watercolour or drawing versus a reproduction or book plate. Regimental specificity, condition, and provenance all affect desirability. Original compositions depicting well-known cavalry or Guards regiments tend to attract stronger interest among military-art collectors. Public auction records from major houses should be consulted to establish current comparable pricing, as no auction-house source was available in this research pass.

Auction categories and appraisal factors

Common auction categories

  • Works on paper — watercolours and drawings of military subjects
  • Prints and illustrated plates of British army uniforms

Value drivers

  1. Subject specificity: detailed depictions of specific British regiments, cavalry, and infantry uniforms can affect desirability among military-art collectors
  2. Medium: watercolours and original drawings generally command higher values than reproduced prints or book illustrations
  3. Provenance and attribution: unsigned or loosely attributed military illustrations should be verified against known Simkin compositions

Appraisal caveats

  • No major-auction-house source was available in the source pack; comparable public auction records should be consulted for current market positioning.
  • Simkin's work spans book illustration, prints, and original watercolours — these categories differ significantly in value and should be distinguished during appraisal.

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 Richard Simkin

LLM summary index · LLM full index

Artist value FAQ

How much is Richard Simkin 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 Richard Simkin artwork?

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