# Charles Oliver Murray artist context and auction value notes Canonical page: https://appraisily.com/artist/charles-oliver-murray/ Profile generated: 2026-05-02T23:09:06.600Z Quality: high confidence, strong sources ## Artist identity - Nationality: Scottish, British - Common media: etching, printmaking, painting, illustration ## About Charles Oliver Murray Charles Oliver Murray (1842–1923) was a Scottish etcher, illustrator, and painter born in Denholm, Roxburghshire. Active in London and South Croydon, Murray was a member of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers (R.E.) and contributed to the revival of painter-etching in late Victorian Britain. His practice spanned original etchings and reproductive printmaking, and his work appears in major public collections including the Tate. Murray is listed in Bénézit's Dictionnaire critique et documentaire des peintres and Johnson and Greutzner's Dictionary of British Artists. His prints and works on paper circulate regularly at auction, making him a familiar name in the British prints market. ## Common works and media Murray's most commonly encountered works are etchings on paper, including landscape, architectural, and figurative subjects. He produced both original etchings as a member of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and reproductive prints after other artists' compositions. Illustrations for published volumes also appear in the market. Works are typically modestly sized plates and are found in 19th-century British print sales and works-on-paper auctions. ## Market and appraisal context Charles Oliver Murray's market is characterized by modest but consistent activity at UK regional auction houses. Appraisily tracks 6 auction lots spanning 2012–2025, with 3 priced sales ranging from £20 to £60 GBP (approximately $20–$60 USD). The median realized price across priced lots is approximately $45. Sales cluster at John Nicholson's Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers, Capes Dunn & Co., and Hoch LTD., all regional UK houses specializing in works on paper and traditional British art. Liquidity is low: only 1 lot appeared in the most recent 12-month period, and 0 in the prior 12 months. The market for Murray's work is accessible rather than high-end, consistent with the broader Victorian reproductive-print segment. Works are typically etchings—both original compositions and reproductive plates—sold in prints and works-on-paper sales. ## Auction-house-backed market evidence Charles Oliver Murray's market is characterized by modest but consistent activity at UK regional auction houses. Appraisily tracks 6 auction lots spanning 2012–2025, with 3 priced sales ranging from £20 to £60 GBP (approximately $20–$60 USD). The median realized price across priced lots is approximately $45. Sales cluster at John Nicholson's Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers, Capes Dunn & Co., and Hoch LTD., all regional UK houses specializing in works on paper and traditional British art. Liquidity is low: only 1 lot appeared in the most recent 12-month period, and 0 in the prior 12 months. The market for Murray's work is accessible rather than high-end, consistent with the broader Victorian reproductive-print segment. Works are typically etchings—both original compositions and reproductive plates—sold in prints and works-on-paper sales. ### Appraisal notes Appraisily would use these auction records as comparable-sale anchors alongside detailed examination of the specific work. Key factors an appraisal must account for include: (1) whether the work is an original etching or a reproductive plate, which materially affects rarity and value; (2) medium verification (etching on paper, illustration, or painting); (3) plate and sheet dimensions; (4) edition characteristics, including plate marks and any inscribed numbering; (5) condition assessment, especially foxing, toning, or paper integrity common in 19th-century prints; (6) signature or monogram presence (lot records note 'Artist Signed' as a descriptor); (7) provenance documentation; and (8) comparable lots from the same auction houses and category. The thin recent sales record means appraisals should reference the broader range of historical lots and consider the distinction between original and reproductive work when selecting comparables. ### Valuation factors - [object Object] - [object Object] - [object Object] - [object Object] - [object Object] - [object Object] ### Collector notes - Murray's etchings and prints are widely accessible at auction, typically selling in the £20–£60 range at UK regional houses. Collectors should be aware that many Murray works on the market are reproductive prints rather than original compositions—verifying the nature of the plate with the auction catalog or a specialist is worthwhile before purchase. The low liquidity means buyers may need patience to find specific subjects, but prices remain modest. For sellers, realistic expectations are important: the accessible price tier and thin recent market suggest that consignment to a prints-and-works-on-paper sale at a UK regional auction house is the most appropriate channel. Works with strong condition, full margins, and clear attribution to an original composition (rather than a reproductive plate) are likely to perform best. ### Market caveats - Only 3 of 6 tracked lots have published realized prices, limiting the reliability of price-range estimates. - Recent auction activity is sparse (1 lot in the last 12 months, 0 in the prior 12 months), so current market sentiment is difficult to gauge. - Murray produced both original etchings and reproductive plates; published auction records do not always distinguish between the two, which can skew comparable-sale analysis. - All observed auction houses are UK-based regional specialists; prices in GBP and USD are not directly comparable without currency adjustment at the time of sale. - The total lot count of 6 is a thin sample. The artist's existing profile notes nearly 1,000 auction records tracked, suggesting broader market activity not fully reflected in this source pack snapshot. ### Market evidence sources - undefined: https://appraisily.com/api/scraper-search/artists/charles-oliver-murray/seo-profile?recentLimit=24&relatedLimit=0 ## Appraisily data basis Appraisily artist pages combine artist identity research from museum records, library authority files, and scholarly references with auction records, sale dates, realized prices, and comparable lots when those records are available. ## Sources - Library of Congress: https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2010167232 - RKD - Netherlands Institute for Art History: https://rkd.nl/en/explore/artists/58567 - Tate: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/charles-oliver-murray-23764 - Wikidata: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17308882 - VIAF: https://viaf.org/viaf/3898885/ - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Oliver_Murray