John Held Paintings & Artwork for Sale | John Held Art Value Price Guide

Oct. 22, 2024
Original Vintage Martha's Vineyard Travel Poster by John Held Jr. 1934 Railroad
Est: $8,000 - $10,000
John Held Jr.'s poster The Enchanted Isle captures the charm and allure of Martha's Vineyard. Known for his distinctive Art Deco style, Held Jr. uses vibrant colors and clean lines to evoke a sense of elegance and whimsy. In this poster, Martha's Vineyard is depicted as a dreamy, almost magical place, with a stylized representation of the island's serene landscapes and inviting atmosphere. The top bar highlights Candian geese flying North, while the central scene is one of revelry and debauchery. It was created for hte New Yrok, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad Company in conjunction with The New England Steampship Company who ran the ferries to the island. John Held Jr. (1899-1958) was an influential American artist celebrated for his distinctive Art Deco style, which vividly captured the Jazz Age's energy and glamour. Born in Minneapolis and educated at the Minneapolis School of Art, he made his mark with whimsical illustrations and posters featured in magazines like "The New Yorker". His notable works include travel posters such as "Enchanted Isle Martha's Vineyard", which highlight his flair for blending bold colors and geometric forms. Despite facing personal and financial struggles, Held Jr.'s legacy endures through his evocative art, reflecting the elegance and vibrancy of the early 20th century. It has very bright and fresh colors and most of the image area is in excellent condition. There is one 3" tear that runs from the bottom margin into the image (text area at bottom) and some smaller tears in the top margin. There is a small area in the top margin that appears to have once had tape on it that has browned very slightly. It has been archivally backed onto linen and presents beautifully; most of the small blemishes mentioned here will be eliminated or greatly diminished in the framing process.
The Ross Art Group, Inc
Aug. 27, 2024
John Held, Jr., Drinking Buddies
Est: $200 - $400
John Held, Jr. (American, 1889-1958), ink on paper depicting men and women sharing a few bottles, signed l.r., 9" x 14 1/2" sight size, 10 1/4" x 15 3/4" framed.
Old Kinderhook Auction Company
Jun. 27, 2024
JOHN HELD JR. METAL SILHOUETTE WEATHER VANE OF HUNTING FIGURE WITH DOG AND BIRD.
Est: $500 - $700
JOHN HELD JR. METAL SILHOUETTE WEATHER VANE OF HUNTING FIGURE WITH DOG AND BIRD. H: app. 36 in.; W: 31 in. The lifelong collection of Charles Nau
Sloans & Kenyon
May. 23, 2024
JOHN HELD JR. METAL SILHOUETTE WEATHER VANE OF HUNTING FIGURE WITH DOG AND BIRD.
Est: $800 - $1,200
JOHN HELD JR. METAL SILHOUETTE WEATHER VANE OF HUNTING FIGURE WITH DOG AND BIRD. H: app. 36 in.; W: 31 in. The lifelong collection of Charles Nau
Sloans & Kenyon
Jan. 07, 2024
John Held, Jr. "The Haircut" Mixed Media on Board
Est: $800 - $1,200
John Held, Jr. (American, 1889-1958), "The Haircut", Pen, Ink, and Watercolor on Board, signed lower right. Image: 7.25" H x 9.5"W; mat: 13.75" H x 15.75" W. Provenance: Swann Auction Galleries, New York, Sale 2480, 5 June 2018: "Illustration Art", lot 200; from a West Village Collection. Keywords: Drawing, Cartoon, Figures, Illustration, Art Deco period
Auctions at Showplace
Dec. 14, 2023
JOHN HELD, JR "Button Up Your Nose."
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
JOHN HELD, JR "Button Up Your Nose." Illustration of a flapper girl thumbing her nose, circa 1930. Watercolor and pen on board. 190x184 mm; 7 1/2x7 1/4 inches on 11 3/4x10-inch board. Inscribed "Always yours" and signed in full, lower left image. Evenly toned. Tipped to window matte and framed.
Swann Auction Galleries
Jun. 14, 2023
JOHN HELD, JR. (Connecticut/Florida/New Jersey, 1889-1958), Six early 20th Century cartoons., Six woodcut prints, approx. 13.5" x 18". One unframed. Five framed 14.5" x 18.5".
Est: $300 - $400
JOHN HELD, JR. Connecticut/Florida/New Jersey, 1889-1958 Six early 20th Century cartoons. 1) "The Wife-beater's Grave". 2) "Who Will Buy My Cats Meat?" 3) "The Wages of Sin". 4) "The Sailor's Return". 5) "The Drunkard's Death". 6) "The Wayward Son".
Eldred's
Apr. 22, 2023
John Held Mid-Century Silk Scarf, together with an Unmarked Silk Shawl
Est: $100 - $150
John Held Mid-Century Silk Scarf, together with an Unmarked Silk Shawl The John Held piece shows figures skiing, golfing, cycling, and dancing (some imperfections), and the other is an abstract pattern in black, red, and amber.
Link Auction Galleries
Sep. 29, 2021
JOHN HELD JR. - FISHERMAN, WATERCOLOR
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
John Held Jr (American, 1889 - 1958). Fisherman, watercolor and ink on paper. Signed lower right. Includes catalog from 1976 Graham Gallery exhibition. (MLEN98)(EL)
Litchfield Auctions
Mar. 21, 2020
John Held jr. bronze
Est: $200 - $400
John Held jr. (American 1889-1958)- Standing Horse- bronze sculpture, 1939, signed John '39 on base, very good condition. 12 1/2 x 13 1/4 x 4''
Rachel Davis Fine Arts
Mar. 21, 2020
John Held jr. bronze
Est: $200 - $400
John Held jr. (American 1889-1958)- Horse with Saddle- signed John on base, very good condition. 11 1/4 x 16 1/2 x 4''
Rachel Davis Fine Arts
Mar. 21, 2020
John Held jr. bronze
Est: $200 - $400
John Held jr. (American 1889-1958)- Man Mounting His Horse- bronze sculpture, signed John Held jr. on base. 9 1/2 x 12 x 8''
Rachel Davis Fine Arts
Nov. 21, 2019
John Held Jr Wood Block Prints [Caricature]
Est: $30 - $60
Three John Held Jr (Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey 1889 - 1958) wood block prints. All three identified as engraved by John Held Jr. All three have wood block print on one side, and a poem or song which the print illustrates its verso. Two measure 6-in. x 8.5-in. sheet size, the third measures 8.5-in. x 6.375-in. sheet size. All very good condition with tape residue or paper loss on verso. All unframed, loose and not glued or mounted. If lot is absent of a condition report a condition report may be requested via email. Condition report is provided as an opinion only and is no guarantee as grading can be subjective. Buyer must view photographs or scans to assist in determining condition and ask further questions if so desired. Provenance: Amity Art Foundation, Inc. collection. We ship most items in this auction in house and gladly combine shipping if possible of multiple items.
Grant Zahajko Auctions, LLC
Dec. 06, 2018
JOHN HELD, JR. Five Flappers in Swimwear.
Est: $3,000 - $4,000
JOHN HELD, JR. Five Flappers in Swimwear. Pen, ink, watercolor, and gouache on board. 324x254 mm; 12 3/4x10 inches, on 17 3/4x15-inch board. Signed in lower right image. Taped to matte; framed.
Swann Auction Galleries
Dec. 06, 2018
JOHN HELD, JR. "Button Up Your Nose!"
Est: $2,500 - $3,500
JOHN HELD, JR. "Button Up Your Nose!" Illustration of a flapper girl thumbing her nose, circa 1930. Watercolor and pen on board. 190x184 mm; 7 1/2x7 1/4 inches on 11 3/4x10-inch board. Inscribed "Always yours" and signed in full, lower left image. Evenly toned. Tipped to window matte and framed.
Swann Auction Galleries
Dec. 06, 2018
JOHN WOOTTON | A dark chestnut racehorse held by a jockey, by the rubbing down house, Newmarket Heath
Est: £30,000 - £40,000
oil on canvas
Sotheby's
Oct. 28, 2018
The New Haven R.R. / Northward. ca. 1935.
Est: $1,200 - $1,500
ARTIST: JOHN HELD SIZE: 27 5/8 x 41 5/8 in./70 x 105.8 cm PRINTER: Flampin Litho, NYC DESCRIPTION: Everybody and I mean ev-ry-body! is heading northward on the New Haven Railroad, beating a path out of New York City for vacation-lands in New England and Canada. A motley assortment of cityfolk and boater-hatted Yalies are scrambling toward the train in a scene you've come to expect if you're anywhere near Penn Station or Grand Central. Meanwhile, phalanxes of ducks and geese stream overhead. Held's art here is archetypal East Coast comic Deco style, and during the '20s his work was published in The New Yorker, College Humor, Life and Judge. (Rail; Travel; Art Deco)
Poster Auctions International Inc
Apr. 18, 2018
JOHN HELD JR. | Manhattan Skyline
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
watercolor and pencil on paper
Sotheby's
Mar. 18, 2018
John Held Jr. Sculpture of Standing Colt
Est: $200 - $300
John Held Jr. Sculpture of standing colt, brown / Verdigris plaster, U.S. 1889-1958, signed on platform base, 6" x 4" x 6". CONDITION: Areas of wear and over painting.
Barry S. Slosberg Inc
Jun. 15, 2017
JOHN HELD JR. New York Skyline.
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
JOHN HELD JR. New York Skyline. Watercolor and pencil on paper, 1934. 510x356 mm; 20x14 inches. Signed and dated in ink, lower left recto. Held (1889-1958) was a cartoonist, illustrator, artist and author. He was born and trained in Salt Lake City (one of his mentors there was the artist Mahonri Young, see lot 110, a grandson of Brigham Young) before moving to New York. During the 1910s and 1920s, Held''s flapper era work graced the coversand pages of Vanity Fair and The New Yorker.
Swann Auction Galleries
Jan. 22, 2015
JOHN HELD, JR. "Old Books to be had ..."
Est: $500 - $750
JOHN HELD, JR. "Old Books to be had ..." Pen and ink on illustration board. 305x200 mm; 12x8 inches. Signed lower right. Light overall tanning. Matted. Nd.
Swann Auction Galleries
Jan. 21, 2011
JOHN HELDE, CIRCA 1860
Est: $8,500 - $10,000
JOHN HELDE, CIRCA 1860 THE DOOR (WITH SELF-PORTRAIT) oil on canvas oil on canvas 32 1/2 by 28 in.
Sotheby's