Collectors passionately pursue artifacts that encapsulate historical significance and superior craftsmanship within the fascinating realm of antiquities. Among the most coveted antiques, specific brands and eras consistently capture the attention of discerning collectors, reflecting the enduring appeal of particular styles and provenance.

Fabergé, synonymous with imperial opulence, is paramount in antique jewelry. The brand's creations, notably the resplendent Imperial Easter Eggs crafted for the Russian royal family, are revered for their intricate enamelwork and the lavish use of precious gemstones. 

Collectors, drawn to the regal allure of Fabergé, seek out these masterpieces not only for their aesthetic brilliance but also for the indelible mark they left on the annals of artistic craftsmanship.

In furniture, the Art Deco era emerges as a perennial among collectors. Characterized by its sleek lines, geometric patterns, and the fusion of luxurious materials such as exotic woods and metals, Art Deco furniture reflects the glamour and sophistication of the Roaring Twenties. 

Iconic designers like Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann and Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann are celebrated for their contributions to this era, contributing to its enduring popularity among collectors with a penchant for exquisite design.

Cartier, a venerable Maison with a storied history dating back to the mid-19th century, holds an esteemed position in antique jewelry. Revered for adorning royalty and celebrities alike, Cartier's creations transcend mere accessories; they are veritable embodiments of the brand's commitment to pushing the boundaries of design and innovation. Collectors are drawn to Cartier pieces or their intrinsic value favourite as tangible links to a bygone era of refinement and sophistication.

These examples represent a Maison and glimpse into the expansive world of antiques, where brands and eras intertwine to create a captivating narrative of art, history, and cultural evolution. Collectors, driven by a passion for the exquisite, continue to seek out these treasures, each with its unique story and significance in the grand tapestry of human creativity.

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The 100 Most Valuable Comic Books from Each Age

This page will deal with the most valuable of all, Golden Age comic books.

We will say that the Golden Age begins in 1938 and ends in 1956, when the Silver Age began.

Here are links to the other eras:

• the Silver Age 
• the Bronze Age 
• the Copper Age 
• the Modern Age

Action Comics #1 (June 1938)
Origin and First Appearance of Superman

Record sale: $3.4m (Goldin.co sale)
Minimum value: $250,000
Have Yours Appraised

Read our Action Comics price guide

Batman #1 (Apr 1940)
First Appearance, Joker, Catwoman

Record sale: $2,220,000
Minimum value: $100,000
Have Yours Appraised

The new record sale was a CGC 9.4, the single highest graded example! It sold in January 2021.

Detective Comics #27 (May 1939)
First Appearance of Batman

Record sale: $2.1m (verified)

Minimum value: $200,000
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More Batman comic book prices

Superman #1 (Jun 1939)
First Solo Comic

Record sale: $2.6m (verified)
Minimum value: $90,000
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Superman Comics price guide

Marvel Comics #1 (October 1939)
Origin and First Appearance, Human Torch, The Angel

Record sale: $2,420,000 (verified)
Minimum value: $130,000
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Read our Marvel (Mystery) Comics price guide

All-Star Comics #8 (December 1941)
Origin and First Appearance, Wonder Woman

Record sale: $1,620,000
Minimum value: $20,000

Have Yours Appraised

Read our Wonder Woman comics
price guide

Captain America Comics #1 (March 1941)
Origin and First Appearance of Captain America

Record sale: $915,000
Minimum value: $11,000
Have Yours Appraised

Read our Captain America Comics price guide

All-American Comics #16 (July 1940)
Origin and First Appearance, Green Lantern (Alan Scott)

Record sale: $825,000 (unverified), $215,100 (verified)
Minimum value: $10,000
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Green Lantern comic books prices

Flash Comics #1 (Jan 1940)
Origin and First Appearance of The Flash (Jay Garrick),
Hawkman (Carter Hall), Johnny Thunder

Record sale: $450,000
Minimum value: $9,000
Have Yours Appraised

Read our Flash Comics price guide

Sensation Comics #1 (Jan 1942)
Second Appearance of Wonder Woman, First Cover

Record sale: $450,000
Minimum value: $5,000

Have yours appraised

See our Sensation Comics Price Guide

Pep Comics #22 (Dec 1941)
First Appearance of Archie, Betty and Jughead

Record sale: $375,000
Minimum value: $28,000
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Archie Comics price guide

Surprised to see Archie in the top 20 most valuable comic books? So were we!

Action Comics #10 (Mar 1939)
Third Superman Cover Appearance

Record sale: $325,000
Minimum value: $8,000
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Superman Comics price guide

Detective Comics #31 (Sep 1939)
Third Cover Appearance of Batman, Fifth Total Appearance
Classic cover

Record sale: $325,000
Minimum value: $18,000

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Whiz Comics #1 (#2) (February 1940)
Origin and First Appearance, Captain Marvel

Record sale: $300,000
Minimum value: $12,000
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Captain Marvel Comics Price Guide

 Wonder Woman #1 (Jun 1942)
First Solo Comic, Origin of Wonder Woman

Record sale: $291,000
Minimum value: $11,100

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Detective Comics #29 (Jul 1939)
Second Cover Appearance of Batman,
Third Total Appearance
One of the most valuable comic books featuring Batman

Record sale: $280,000
Minimum value: $6,100

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Fantastic Comics #3
Classic Lou Fine robot cover

Record Sale: $243,000
Minimum Value: $9,260

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Detective Comics #33 (Nov 1939)
Origin of Batman

Record sale: $225,000
Minimum value: $17,210

Have yours appraised

All-Star Comics #3 (November 1940)
Origin and first appearance, Justice Society of America

Record sale: $358,800
Minimum value: $3,000
Have Yours Appraised

Read our Justice Society of America price guide

Action Comics #2 (Jul 1938)
Second Appearance of Superman

Record sale: $210,000
Minimum value: $6,900

Have yours appraised

More Fun Comics #52 (Feb 1940)
First Appearance of Spectre

Record sale: $200,000
Minimum value: $16,500

Have yours appraised

Archie Comics #1 (January 1942)
Scarce to rare; First Issue
Another Archie on the most valuable comic books list!

Record sale: $195,000
Minimum value: $15,000
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Action Comics #13 (Jun 1939):
Fourth Superman Cover
Appearance

Record sale: $190,000
Minimum value: $13,400
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Action Comics #7 (December 1938): Second Superman cover

Record sale: $204,000
Minimum value: $27,600
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Read our Rare Comic Book price guide

Adventure Comics #40 (Jul 1939)
First Appearance of Sandman

Record sale: $175,000
Minimum value: $10,160

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Value of Key Adventure Comics

Click Here to Get Your Free Appraisal or Consign Your Books to Auction!

(article continues below)

We unearthed this never-before-offered copy of Action Comics #7.
Only the second time Superman appeared on a comic book cover.

We paid $40,000 for this book!

What do YOU have in your attic or basement?

Click Here to Get Your Free Appraisal or Consign Your Books to Auction!

Click to see the 175 Most Valuable Comic Books of the Silver Age

Suspense Comics #3 (1944)
Rare, Controversial Cover

Record sale: $173,000
Minimum value: $3,000
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Action Comics #3 (Aug 1938)
3rd Superman Appearance

Record sale: $150,000
Minimum value: $5,860

Have yours appraised

Green Lantern #1 (Sep 1941)
1st Solo Comic

Record sale: $147,000 (unverified), $47,000 (verified)
Minimum value: $1,780

Have yours appraised

More Fun Comics #73 (Nov 1941)
Origin and First Appearance, Aquaman, Green Arrow and Speedy

Record sale: $135,000
Minimum value: $3,000

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Detective Comics #38
Origin and first appearance of Robin, the Boy Wonder

Record Sale: $126,000 (unverified), $107,500 (verified)
Minimum Value: $8,000

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More Fun Comics #55
First appearance of Doctor Fate

Record Sale: $124,000
Minimum Value: $1,200

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Detective Comics #225
Origin and first appearance of J'onn J'onzz, Martian Manhunter

Record Sale: $138,000
Minimum Value: $870

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57. Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #1

Record Sale: $116,500
Minimum Value: $800

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For more of the most valuable comic books featuring Disney characters, click for our Disney comic books price guide.

Detective Comics #1 (Mar 1937)
First Issue in Series

Record sale: $112,000 (unverified), $50,000 (verified)
Minimum value: $5,000

Have yours appraised

Detective Comics #28 (Jun 1939)
Second Appearance of Batman

Record sale: $112,000 (unverified), $64,000 (verified)
Minimum value: $4,000

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More Fun Comics #53 (Mar 1940)
Second Appearance of Spectre

Record sale: $125,000
Minimum value: $8,500

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Phantom Lady #17
Classic 'headlights' Matt Baker cover

Record Sale: $456,000
Minimum Value: $1,700

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Planet Comics #1
Classic sci-fi series debut issue

Record Sale: $108,000
Minimum Value: $1000

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Marvel Mystery Comics #9
Classic Sub-Mariner vs Human Torch cover

Record Sale: $107,000
Minimum Value: $2,850

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Captain America Comics #2
Hitler cover; 2nd Cap appearance

Record Sale: $103,000
Minimum Value: $2,500

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Marvel Mystery Comics #2 (Dec 1939)
Second Appearance of Human Torch, Namor and Angel

Record sale: $102,000 (unverified), $55,000 (verified)
Minimum value: $1,000

Have yours appraised

Captain Marvel Adventures #1
(Mar 1940). First Solo Comic

Record sale: $100,000
Minimum value: $2,500

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Detective Comics #36 (Feb 1940)
First Appearance, Hugo Strange

Record sale: $100,000 (unverified), $65,500 (verified)
Minimum value: $5,000

Have yours appraised

MAD Comics #1 (Oct 1952)
EC, First Issue in Series

Record sale: $96,000
Minimum value: $250

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MAD Magazine / Comics Values

All-Winners Comics #19 (Fall 1946)
First Appearance of the
All-Winners Squad

Record sale: $95,000 (unverified), $65,000 (verified)
Minimum value: $1,200

Have yours appraised

Superman Comic #2 (Sep 1939)
Second in Series

Record sale: $94,000
Minimum value: $3,600

Have yours appraised

Human Torch Comics #1 (Fall 1940)
First Solo Comic

Record sale: $92,000
Minimum value: $5,000

Have yours appraised

Sub-Mariner Comics #1 (Fall 1941)
First Solo Comic

Record sale: $144,000
Minimum value: $2,900

Have yours appraised

Marvel Mystery Comics #5 (Mar 1940)
Timely, Human Torch Cover

Record sale: $88,000 (unverified), $33,500 (verified)
Minimum value: $3,500

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Detective Comics #66
Origin and first appearance of Two-Face (Harvey Dent)

Record Sale: $88,000
Minimum Value: $4,600

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Captain America Comics #3
Classic Red Skull cover; Stan Lee's first work for Marvel

Record Sale: $80,000
Minimum Value: $2,500

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Click to see the 175 Most Valuable Comic Books of the Silver Age

Action Comics #19
Superman WWII cover

Record Sale: $79,000
Minimum Value: $350

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Detective Comics #62
Classic Joker cover

Record Sale: $77,000
Minimum Value: $1000

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Detective Comics #37 (Mar 1940)
Last solo Batman adventure

Record sale: $76,000
Minimum value: $2,500

Have yours appraised

Red Raven Comics #1

Record Sale: $74,000
Minimum Value: $2000

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Detective Comics #32
Batman is first costumed hero to use a gun, kills two villains

Record Sale: $71,000
Minimum Value: $500

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Action Comics #23
1st Appearance of Lex Luthor

Record sale: $72,000
Minimum value: $2,000

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Action Comics #6
1st Appearance of Jimmy Olsen

Record sale: $70,000
Minimum value: $4,000

Have yours appraised

Wonder Comics #1 (Mar 1939)
Origin and First Appearance, Wonder-Man (Only Appearance)

Record sale: $68,000
Minimum value: $1,500

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Action Comics #5
5th Superman appearance

Record Sale: $68,000
Minimum Value: $2,500

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Action Comics #4 (Sep 1938)
Fourth Appearance of Superman
(Plays Football in the Story)

Record sale: $68,000
Minimum value: $6,000

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Marvel Mystery Comics #4
First appearance of GA Electro

Record Sale: $68,000
Minimum Value: $1,800

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Daring Mystery Comics #1 (Jan 1940)
First in Series

Record sale: $67,000
Minimum value: $1,300

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Fantastic Comics #1 (1939)
First in series

Record Sale: $66,000
Minimum Value: $1,100

Have Yours Appraised

All-American Comics #19
First appearance of GA Atom

Record Sale: $65,000 (unverified), $51,000 (verified)
Minimum Value: $2,000

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See our All-American Comics Price Guide here

Batman Comics #11
Classic Joker cover

Record Sale: $65,000
Minimum Value: $500

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Adventure Comics #48 (Mar 1940)
First Appearance, Hour-Man

Record sale: $64,000
Minimum value: $1,000

Have yours appraised

All-Select Comics #1 (Fall 1943)
Timely, First Issue in Series

Record sale: $63,500
Minimum value: $900

Have yours appraised

Click Here to Get Your Free Appraisal or Consign Your Books to Auction!

Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1
Extremely rare; only eight copies known to exist (3 restored);
Origin and First appearance of Sub-Mariner

Record Sale: $60,000
Minimum Value: $20,300

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Batman #2 (Jul 1940)
Second Appearance of Joker,
Catwoman

Record sale: $63,000
Minimum value: $800

Have yours appraised

Action Comics #20

Record Sale: $60,000
Minimum Value: $900

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PEP Comics #34
Classic Nazi WWII cover

Record Sale: $57,000
Minimum Value: $4,500

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Superman #4
Second Lex Luthor appearance

Record Sale: $56,000
Minimum Value: $200

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Amazing-Man Comics #5 (Sep 1939)
First Appearance, Amazing-Man

Record sale: $56,800
Minimum value: $1,200

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Punch Comics #12
Classic skull cover

Record Sale: $55,000
Minimum Value: $300

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A member of the gallery of the Best Horror Comics ever!

All-Star Comics #1

Record Sale: $54,000
Minimum Value: $2,000

Have Yours Appraised

Click to see the 175 Most Valuable Comic Books of the Silver Age

Amazing-Man Comics #22
Classic cover; Hitler appearance

Record Sale: $54,000
Minimum Value: $5,700

Have Yours Appraised

All-Winners Comics #1 (1941)
1st All-Winners Squad

Record Sale: $49,000
Minimum Value: $4,300

Have Yours Appraised

If you find one of these most valuable comic books, don't hesitate!

Click Here to Get Your Free Appraisal or Consign Your Books to Auction!

New Comics #1 (1935)
First ever comic published by DC

Record Sale: $52,000 (unverified), $15,500 (verified)
Minimum Value: $1,000

Have Yours Appraised

Four Color Comics V1 #16
Mickey Mouse; rare

Record sale: $78,000
Minimum value: $500

Have yours appraised

Famous Funnies #1 (1934)
First comic book sold to the public

Record Sale: $43,000 (unverified), $9,000 (verified)
Minimum Value: $3,000

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Silver Streak Comics #6
Origin and First appearance of GA Daredevil; classic Cole Claw cover

Record Sale: $42,000 (unverified), $22,500 (verified)
Minimum Value: $1,400

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Marvel Mystery Comics #10

Record Sale: $42,000
Minimum Value: $1,750

Have Yours Appraised

Click Here to Get Your Free Appraisal!

Detective Comics #140
First appearance of Riddler

Record Sale: $456,000
Minimum Value: $1,500

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Mystic Comics #1 (Mar 1940)
First Appearance of Flexo
and Blue Blaze

Record sale: $40,000
Minimum value: $1000

Have yours appraised

Batman #3
First Catwoman appearance in costume, first appearance of Puppet Master

Record Sale: $40,300
Minimum Value: $3,700

Have Yours Appraised

Double Action Comics #2
Very rare; only six copies known; copy of Adventure Comics #37 cover

Record Sale: $37,000 (unverified)
Minimum Value: $?

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More Fun Comics #54 (Apr 1940)
Spectre Story

Record sale: $39,000
Minimum value: $800

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Detective Comics #168
Origin of Joker / Red Hood

Record Sale: $35,000
Minimum Value: $3,300

Have Yours Appraised

Prize Comics #7
Origin and first appearance of The Green Lama

Record Sale: $35,000
Minimum Value: $1,800

Have Yours Appraised

Jumbo Comics #1 (1938)
1st appearance of Sheena, Queen of the Jungle

Record Sale: $33,000 (unverified)
Minimum Value: $?

Have Yours Appraised

Detective Comics #40
Origin and first appearance of Clayface

Record Sale: $32,000
Minimum Value: $1,000

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Batman #37
Classic Joker signal cover

Record Sale: $32,000
Minimum Value: $4,000

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Superman #3
Reprints second story from Action #5

Record Sale: $30,500
Minimum Value: $1,000

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More Fun Comics #101 (Jan 1945)
Origin and First Appearance, Superboy

Record sale: $55,000
Minimum value: $300

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All-American Comics #61
First appearance of Solomon Grundy

Record Sale: $138,000
Minimum Value: $1,000

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Four Color #386
First dedicated Uncle Scrooge comic

Record Sale: $26,200
Minimum Value: $100

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Detective Comics #2
Creig Flessel covers begin

Record Sale: $26,000
Minimum Value: $7,100

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Marvel Mystery Comics #3
1st new logo

Record Sale: $25,000
Minimum Value: $900

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Marvel Mystery Comics #8
Classic Timely Comic

Record sale: $21,500
Minimum value: $1,100

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More Marvel Mystery Comics

All-American Comics #17
2nd appearance of Golden Age Green Lantern

Record Sale: $20,000
Minimum Value: $500

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New York World's Fair Comic 1939

Record Sale: $25,000
Minimum Value: $1,700

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Seven Seas #6
Matt Baker comic book cover art

Record Sale: $25,000
Minimum Value: $100

Get Yours Appraised

Click Here to Get Your Free Appraisal or Consign Your Books to Auction!

Click to see the 175 Most Valuable Comic Books of the Silver Age

Top Comic Books from the Silver Age by Market Value
Which Silver Age books command the highest prices?

Read more

Best-Selling Bronze Age Comic Books in Today's Market
These issues from the Bronze Age are the most valuable comic books from that era.

Read more

Top Valuable Copper Age Comic Books
Which are the most valuable comic books from the 1980s-90s? Find out here!

Read more

Most Expensive Modern Age Comic Books
Even comics published in the last 20 years can be valuable. Find out the top 20 here.

Read more

Go from Most Valuable Comic Books to the Comic Price Guide Menu

The intention of this list is to showcase those paintings that could realistically (though not necessarily) reach the market in the future. Therefore, some observations and exceptions should be made when talking about privately owned paintings, in the sense that not all “private collections” seem destined to end up on the art market. The most illustrative example is the Royal Collection, owned by the Queen of England. While there is still some debate about it, it is believed that most of the works of the collection (including masterpieces by Raphael, Caravaggio, Bruegel, and Rembrandt) are owned by the monarch personally. The Duke of Edinburgh once declared that the Queen was “perfectly at liberty to sell them”. However, the scenario of the Queen selling one this masterpieces (specially on the open market) seems totally implausible. Therefore, works from this collection will not appear in the following list.

Raphael Cartoons (such as this “St Paul Preaching in Athens”, shown here) are owned by the Queen of England, and can be valued at over $400 million each. However, there is virtually zero chances of watching them on the art market.

While “privately owned” is often understood as the opposite to “museum owned”, it must be noted that many American Museums (and -to a lesser extent- some European Institutions) are actually private institutions that could sell any of their artworks if the board of directors / trustees vote for that. In fact, deaccessioning (a.k.a. sale) of artworks by these museums happen every year. So, will the Met or the MoMA be selling some of its coveted masterpieces soon? While theoretically possible, that will not be happening in the foreseen future given the strict conditions for deaccessioning of works (read what the MoMA and the Met say about this). However, there have been sales of major works by smaller museums, such as the famous “Artemis and the Stag,” sold in 2007 by the Albright-Knox Art Gallery for $28.6 million, or Asher B. Durand’s “Kindred Spirits,” sold by the New York Public Library for $35 million in 2005.

Image: Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” (shown here) or Picasso’s “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon” could easily fetch a price between $500 million and $1 billion each if the Museum of Modern Art decided to sell them.

In Europe, the situation is equally difficult to define. While there have been notable sales by family museums / institutions (the most notable case being Gauguin’s “Nafea faa ipoipo“, which the Rudolf Staechelin Trust sold for $210 million in 2015) other private museums seem not to contemplate selling their most valuable works. Take the Fondation Beyeler, whose directorate has made it clear that the core of the collection cannot be sold (see Bruno S. Frey and Stephan Meier: “Museums between Private and Public the Case of the Beyeler Museum in Basel,” 2020). This is, in short, a “gray area” in which we will try to establish as realistic an approach as possible for each case.

A crucial point when establishing the value of a painting is to take into account the country in which it is kept, as several territories establish limitations on the export of works of art (especially for old master’s art and ancient art), ranging from the right of first refusal by the state to a ban on the export of works considered national art treasures. Particularly noteworthy in this last group is the case of Italy, with several old master paintings in private hands, which nevertheless cannot be sold to a foreign buyer, drastically reducing their valuation. The list shown on this page contains some paintings (such as Caravaggio’s “The Conversion of St Paul” from the Odescalchi Balbi collection in Rome, or Brueghel’s “Haymaking” from the Lobkowicz collection in Prague) whose sale to a potential foreign buyer is practically impossible, but which have been included with their hypothetical open market value as they are considered of interest to the reader (all these works include a note indicating their restriction). Not included, however, are works belonging to the Doria Pamphili Collection in Rome, whose Trust has stated, in line with what has been discussed above for the Fondation Beyeler, its opposition to the sale of the most important works in the collection, which include works that would each exceed $200 million on the open market, including paintings by Velázquez, Raphael and Caravaggio.

AllPainting before 18501850-1945Post-War and ContemporarySearchAuthorWorkEstimated ValueEstimate (min/max)YearRembrandt van RijnPortrait of Jan Six$320 million$260M - $380M1654

Oil on canvas, 112 x 102 cm.
Six Foundation, Amsterdam

"The psychological truth of Rembrandt’s paintings goes beyond that of any other artist who has ever lived."- Kenneth Clark

The Portrait of Jan Six is not only Rembrandt's most important work in private hands, but also one of the finest portraits -if not the finest- of the Dutch Golden Age. In the 1650s Rembrandt modified his style, renouncing the meticulousness that prevailed in Dutch painting at the time, and -opting for free and loose brushstrokes- produced some of his finest works, such as "Aristotle with the Bust of Homer" (1653), "Bathsheba in her Bath" (1654), and, of course, "Portrait of Jan Six", an intense, magnetic portrait, fully modern in its conception and execution, audacious, and masterful.

About the estimate: let's start with the obvious: when a great Rembrandt comes to the market, it makes a big splash. A big, huge, gigantic splash. In 2015, the Louvre and the Rijksmuseum jointly purchased the pendant portraits of Maerten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit for around $200 million1. The same price was paid in December 2021 for Rembrandt's "The Standard Bearer", acquired by the Dutch State2. However, none of them (no, not even "The Standard Bearer") is comparable to this masterpiece, valued (circa 2002-2003) by art dealer Otto Naumann "in excess of $150 million"3 at a time when no artwork had reached $100 million. If we want to find a comparable reference, we need to go back to 1961, when the Metropolitan Museum acquired "Aristotle with a Bust of Homer" for $2.3 million, then the highest price ever paid for a work of art4. But I would venture to say that even the Metropolitan Museum's excellent "Aristotle" is no match for this painting, described by Hofstede de Groot as "the finest and most expressive" of Rembrandt's best portraits5.

Note: open market valuation. Following the controversy generated by the sale in 2019 of a Rubens drawing owned by Princess Christina, the Dutch government decided to set up a committee dedicated to finding strategies to ensure that major works of art in the Netherlands could remain in the country 6,7, although it is not yet clear how this might affect a hypothetical sale of this painting.1.  "One of the most important private sales in history", described by Christie's, 2016.
2. "The Dutch State today announced its intention to purchase Rembrandt's The Standard Bearer (1636) for the national collection" - Rijskmuseum, December8th 2021
3. ArtNews, "The Most Wanted Works of Art", January 11th, 2003
4. As a curiosity, on youtube there is a video with footage of this sale.
5. Extracted from "A catalogue raisonné of the works of the most eminent Dutch painters of the seventeenth century based on the work of John Smith. Translated and edited by Edward G. Hawke" available here.
6. "Committee to look at keeping Dutch art in NL, after royal Rubens sale” – Dutch News, 19 February 2019
7. “Dutch Heritage Act: What does the advice of the Pechtold Committee mean for collectors, art dealers and foundations?” Russell Advocaten, 3 October 2019
Paul CézanneLes joueurs de cartes$320 million$280M - $360M1892 - 1893

Oil on canvas, 97 × 130 cm.
Private collection, Qatar

The series of "The Card Players" is considered Cézanne's great masterpiece, along with his "Bathers" and his views of the Mount Sainte-Victoire. In the seemingly simple composition, Cézanne enhances the volumes while diluting the perspective, thus producing a "proto-Cubist" effect. This is the last version of this great series that remains in a private collection.

About the estimate: Unlike Picasso or Van Gogh, Cézanne is an artist whose great works appear very rarely on the art market. "Card players" is widely considered the most important Cézanne in private hands. Reportedly sold to Qatar for $250 million in 20111. In addition to the Qatari offer, several dealers offered sums of more than $200 million2, which were rejected, giving an idea of the value of the painting.

1. Several sources, including Forbes, The New York Post and Daily Mail.
2. "Is The Embiricos Cézanne Worth $250m?" - Art Market Monitor, February 3rd, 2012

Vincent van GoghPortrait of Doctor Gachet$300 million$250M - $350M1890

Oil on canvas, 68 x 57 cm.
Private collection (whereabouts unknown)

The "Portrait of Doctor Gachet" (of which there are two versions, this one being the best and most famous of the two) is perhaps the best portrait ever painted by Van Gogh. In the opinion of Guillermo Solana, director of the Thyssen Museum, it is "one of the 12 most important portraits in Western art". The story about this famous and brilliant work resumes by itself the "Japanese buyer boom" of the late 80s and early 90s. The whereabouts of the painting are now unknown. Some sources places it in Europe, waiting for its return to the Art market

About the estimate: Sold for $82.5 million in 1990 (then an auction record for any work of art) Re-sold in the late 90s for an unknown price (some sources said $90 million in 1997) to an anonymous private collector. Possibly re-sold for $100 million1 some years later.
An iconic painting by a superstar painter, this work has it all. It could be the centerpiece of a serious modern art museum, and only few doubts about its provenance2 during the WWII era prevent it from taking first place in this list.

1. "Dr. Gachet Sighting: It WAS Flöttl!" - published by CultureGrrl at ArtsJournal, January 26th 2007
2. For example, see "Dr. Gachet: From confiscation to exile" - published by Angelina Giovani at plundered-art.blogspot.com, August 24th 2015.

CaravaggioConversion of Saint Paul$285 million$220M - $350M1600

Oil on cypress wood, 237 x 189 cm.
Odescalchi Balbi Collection, Rome

This work is one of two paintings by Caravaggio of the same subject, commissioned by Cardinal Cerasi.
The large painting was created in 1600, the same year in which Caravaggio completed one of his undisputed masterpieces, "The Calling of Saint Matthew".
Impressive in size and quality, this work ranks among the most important paintings by Caravaggio.

About the estimate: Works by Caravaggio rarely appear on the market. Prices as high as $100 million1 have been suggested for less important works by the artist. In 2019, a " Judith and Holofernes" with a very dubious attribution was offered at auction with an estimated price of about 170 million euros2, and sold before the auction for an undisclosed sum. Unlike the previous ones, this is a supreme masterpiece, the last of Caravaggio's monumental works in private hands.

Note: open market valuation. However, due to Italian export restrictions the painting can not be sold to a foreign buyer.

1. For example, see "Stolen '$100 million' Caravaggio recovered by police", published at The Telegraph, 28 June 2010.
2. Several sources, for example see "Mysterious Caravaggio painting valued at $170m snapped up before auction", published by The Guardian, June 25, 2019.
Leonardo da Vinci (attributed to) / Leonardo da Vinci and workshopSalvator Mundi$275 million$200M - $350M1500 - 1510

Oil on wood, 65.6 x 45.4 cm.
Private collection.

Leonardo da Vinci is known to have painted a "Salvator Mundi" for King Louis XII of France. Considered lost by art experts for decades, one of its alleged "copies" was acquired by a group of art dealers in 2005, and reattributed (NOT unanimously) to Leonardo. In late 2011, this work was included in the exhibition "Leonardo da Vinci: Painter at the Court of Milan" at the National Gallery of London.

In November 2017, "Salvator Mundi" sold for $450.3 million (including buyer’s premium) at Christie's New York, becoming the most expensive painting ever sold at auction. This stunning price reflects the extreme rarity of paintings by Leonardo da Vinci — there are fewer than 20 in existence acknowledged as being from the artist’s own hand, and all the undisputed ones are in museum collections.

About the estimate: How much are collectors willing to pay for a painting whose attribution is still questionable? The answer, apparently, is $450M (Christie's, November 2017)1. The price was a huge shock for the art world, and not only because the work had been on the market not long before, and carrying a much more "reasonable" price tag (its owners, according to several sources, asked for $200 million2 and -not finding a buyer- sold it for "over $75 million" to Yves Bouvier in 2012, who sold it to Dmitry Rybolovlev for $127.5 million 3) but also because many respectable experts 4 5 are still very unconvinced, to say the least, about its attribution. Between 2019 and 2021, several sources offered contradictory news about the verdict that the Louvre Museum would have issued on the painting, either supporting the attribution6 or rejecting it7. In a cautious move -which seems the most reasonable position at the moment- the Museo del Prado (which seems a fairly neutral source in this struggle of interests) included the "Salvator Mundi" in the category of "works attributed to or supervised by Da Vinci"8 on the occasion of the exhibition "Leonardo and the copy of Mona Lisa" in 2021-2022.

Time (and more technical studies) will tell if this artwork is really an undisputed painting by the most famous artist ever, or if, on the contrary, it becomes the "Theranos" of the art world by turning out to be the creation of a follower.

1. Leonardo sells for $450 million
2. "Potential buyers were being asked about $200 million for Salvator Mundi" - Bloomberg, July 9th, 2011
3. "Recently Attributed Leonardo Painting Was Sold Privately for Over $75 Million" - NY Times, March 3th, 2014
4. "Salvator Mundi and the mystery of the orb: is the world's most expensive painting a real Leonardo?" - The Telegraph, November 16th 2017
5. " Artistic license? Experts doubt Leonardo da Vinci painted $450m Salvator Mundi" - The Guardian, November 20th 2017
6. "Did Leonardo da Vinci Paint Salvator Mundi? The Louvre Has an Answer." - Vincent Noce, Gazette Drouot, May 6th, 2021.
7. "World's priciest painting not a full da Vinci, claims doc" - Vincent Noce, France 24, April 7th, 2021.
8. "El Prado rebaja la calificación artística del Salvator Mundi" - Talya Kivank, La Razón, November 15th, 2021.Pablo PicassoFemme nue (La danseuse d'Avignon)$250 million$200M - $300M1907

Oil on canvas, 150 x 100 cm.
Goulandris Foundation, Athens.

Hidden for decades in the private collection of Basil Goulandris, this is an extremely important Picasso, directly related to his masterpiece "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon", considered the most important painting of the 20th century.

About the estimate: This important painting has been estimated by some sources to be worth $250 million1. Is that a reasonable guess? It is certainly not unreasonable, considering the importance of the 1906-07 Picasso for the history of art. It is true that all the Picassos sold for over $150 million (see separate entries) are later, more colorful works, but let's keep in mind that no Picasso like this one has come on the market in recent times, and that this painting is, to put it simply, the closest thing to "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" in private hands. As evidence of how the market might respond, bear in mind that in 2005 Sotheby's auctioned "Nu Jaune", a small watercolor from 1907, preparatory to "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon", and it sold for $13.7 million2 against a previous estimate of only $3-4 million.

1. "The $3 Billion Family Art Feud" - published by the Wall Street Journal, June 30th, 2016.
2. "Impressionist & Modern Art auction at Sotheby's, November 2, 2005" - published by thecityreview.com, November 2005.

Vincent van GoghSelf-portrait with bandaged ear$240 million$200M - $280M1889Oil on canvas, 60.5 x 50 cm.
Niarchos collection.

Van Gogh's 32 self-portraits are among the most immediately recognizable images in the history of art. Among them, the two self-portraits with a bandaged ear (this one and another one from the Courtauld Institute Galleries) are particularly famous, as they refer to one of the most talked about (and at the same time most misunderstood) moments in the artist's life.

About the estimate: Quietly purchased by the Niarchos family for an undisclosed price in the early 90s or before. A smaller and less important self-portrait by Van Gogh was sold for $71.5 million in 19982, then the third highest price ever paid for a work of art.

1. Christie's New York, November 19th 1998Leonardo da Vinci (attributed to) / Leonardo da Vinci and workshopMadonna dei fusi$235 million$170M - $300M1499 - 1507

Note: the estimated price is for each of the works.

"Madonna of the Yarnwinder" (Buccleuch Madonna), c-1499-1507
oil on wood, 48.3 x 36.9 cm.
Buccleuch collection (on loan to the National Galleries of Scotland)

"Madonna of the Yarnwinder" (Lansdowne Madonna), c-1499-1507
oil on wood, 50.2 x 34.6 cm.
Private collection, New York

One of the most interesting debates about the authenticity of a work by Leonardo is the one involving the two versions of the original -allegedly lost- of the "Madonna dei fusi", also known as the "Madonna of the reel" or the "Madonna of the yarnwinder". One of them belongs to the Drumlanrig Castle collection in Scotland (stolen in 2003 and recovered in 2007) and another one previously in the Reford collection of Montreal, until it was reportedly sold to an American private collector.

About the estimate: There are similarities, but also a lot of differences, between the considerations regarding these two paintings and the ones around the now-famous "Salvator Mundi". While the attribution to Leonardo is subject to serious debate, these are two well-known paintings (specially the Buccleuch version). Basing on the complex underdrawing of the paintings, most critics agree that Leonardo had some kind of involvement in the creation of both versions1 2. The extent of this involvement, however, is still not clear. If future technical studies confirm a serious attribution to the master, any of this versions could become the first "half-billion dollars painting".

1. For the Buccleuch Madonna, see "The Theft, Recovery and Forensic Investigation of Leonardo da Vinci’s Madonna of the Yarnwinder" - Martin Kemp, published 2014.
2. For the Lansdowne Madonna, try to find a good study by Marco Versiero in occasion of the exhibition of the "Madonna dei fusi" in Arezzo, Italy, from July to November of 2000.Andy WarholShot Orange Marilyn$230 million$200M - $260M1964

Oil on canvas, 101.6 x 101.6 cm.
Ken Griffin collection (formerly S. I. Newhouse Collection)
image © Andy Warhol / ARS Nueva York

Warhol's portraits of Marilyn Monroe rank among the most iconic artworks ever created. The "Shot Marilyns" are four square canvases 40 inches a side that were shot by performance artist Dorothy Podber (1932-2008) at the mythical "The Factory" in Manhattan. "Orange Marilyn" is without a doubt the most iconic of the four versions.

About the estimation: in 1989, the "Red" canvas was sold for $4.1 million1. 9 years later, the "Orange" painting was sold for $17.3 million2. And nine years later, the "Turquoise" canvas (the only one that was not shot by Dorothy Podber) was sold for a rumoured $80 million3. In 2018, it was said that the Orange Marilyn was sold for "over $200 million"4. In 2022, one of the two blue versions (a background usually less attractive to the market) was auctioned for $195 million5 (including commissions).

1. "A Warhol 'Red Marilyn' Sets Record at Christie's", published by Rita Reif, The New York Times, May 4th 1989
2. "$17-million marilyn", Walter Robinson, Artnet, May 15th 1998
3. "Pop Art round-up: what and where to buy", The Telegraph, May 26th 2010
4. "Warhol Sales Are in a Rut. Can Whitney Show Bring Mojo Back?", Bloomberg, October 31, 2018.
5. Christie's New York, May 9th 2022Gustav KlimtAdele Bloch-bauer I$225 million$190M - $260M1907Oil on canvas, 138 x 138 cm.
Ronald Lauder collection, on loan to Neue Galerie, New York.

Together with the very famous "The Kiss", the portrait of "Adele Bloch-bauer I" is the pinnacle of Gustav Klimt's "Golden Period". The painting was confiscated by the Nazis during the World War II, and after the war, it was placed at the National Gallery of Austria in 1948 until it was returned to Maria Altmann in 2006.About the estimation: sold in 2006 for $135 million, at the time the highest price ever paid for a painting1. As a reference for the possible increase in value of this painting, consider that the second version of the portrait (of lesser importance than this one) was sold for $88 million at Christie's New York, also in 20062 and resold in 2016 to a Chinese buyer for $150 million3.1. Klimt's "Adele" goes for $135 million - theartwolf, 2006
2. Christie's New York, November 8th 2006, lot 5.
3. Oprah Sells Famed Gustav Klimt Portrait for $150 Million. Artnet Magazine, February 8, 2017.Pablo PicassoLe Reve$220 million$180M - $260M1932Oil on canvas, 130 x 97 cm.
image: © Estate of Pablo Picasso/ ARS
Steven Cohen collection

The sensual portraits of Marie-Therese Walter that Picasso painted in the early 1930s (especially in 1932, one of his "magic years") are among the artist's best known works. In this painting, the painter's lover and muse appears seated in a red armchair with her eyes closed. The subdued tones of the young woman's body contrast with the bright colors of the sofa and the wall in the background, while, on the top of her head, Picasso has depicted an explicitly erotic element, which has been interpreted by much of contemporary criticism as a clearly sexist element.

About the estimate: The sales history of this painting is certainly interesting. It was sold for $48.4 million in New York at the legendary 1997 Ganz auction1. Almost sold privately for $139 million in 2006, but its then owner (Steve Wynn) damaged it before the sale2. Finally sold in 2013 to mega-collector Steve Cohen for $155 million.3 Will its value continue to increase? It may be a totally subjective opinion, but it seems that, since its spectacular sale in 1997, "The Dream" has become the most famous of all Marie-Therese's portraits, surpassing even the "Girl before a Mirror" from the MoMA; and being the star piece of the Tate's major exhibition, "Picasso 1932 - Love, Fame, Tragedy", in 2018. With this new "icon" status, its value can only increase. It should also be noted that in the previously mentioned 1997 Ganz auction, "The Women of Algiers" was auctioned for $31.9 million, and the same work was auctioned for $179.4 million in 20154, which gives an idea of the revaluation experienced by Picasso's great works in the last 2-3 decades. As a more recent a direct comparison, Woman Seated near a Window (Marie-Therese)", another Picasso from 1932, was auctioned for $103 million in 20215 after having sold for $45 million in 20136

1. "Prized Picasso Leads the Ganz Collection to a Record Auction" - The New York Times, November 11, 1997.
2. "Picasso's The Dream damaged by its owner" -
3. "Steven Cohen buys Picasso's 'Le Rêve' for $155 million"
4. "Picasso and Giacometti smash records at Christie's historic auction"
5. Christie's New York, May 13, 2021
6. Sotheby's London , February 6, 2013

Jackson PollockNumber 5, 1948$220 million$180M - $260M1948Oil on canvas, 243.8 x 121.9 cm.
image: © Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY
Private collection (David Martínez, according to some sources), USA.

 1 / 50FAMILY HANDYMAN

Next time you use up a can of paint, save the empty can and fill it up with valuables. Then put it back on the shelf with all your other cans. And