LIVE LOTS 17,750,525 HOUSES 866 UNSOLD RECORDED 4,679,484 UPDATED NIGHTLY
TheBasis.Art

1756–1830

Darwin

246results on record
83%sell-through
$5,120median result (USD, incl. premium; 94% observed, 6% estimated from hammer)
$500,075record in our coverage

Drawn from 246 recorded results (220 sold · 26 passed) across 6 auction houses, 1998–2026. What we cover

Median sold price by year typical estimate range median result USD, incl. premium; 94% observed, 6% estimated from hammer method · log scale

$3.3K$6.5K$9.8K1998: $7.4K median, 2 sold2012: $1.2K median, 8 sold2013: $1.4K median, 7 sold2014: $3.2K median, 27 sold2015: $12K median, 21 sold2016: $8.0K median, 16 sold2017: $3.1K median, 52 sold2018: $4.8K median, 7 sold2019: $9.2K median, 16 sold2020: $5.7K median, 14 sold2021: $7.7K median, 5 sold2022: $5.0K median, 10 sold2023: $7.8K median, 14 sold2024: $6.5K median, 9 sold2025: $8.2K median, 8 sold2026: $5.1K median, 4 sold19982005201220192026

Where does a value land in this market?

$

The same figure also answers the seller's question: which house clears a work like this, and for how much — expected proceeds by house, from the sell-through the rest of this page is built on.

$5.1K$138$500K

Every sold result for this market, low to high (log scale) — the dashed line is the median. Enter a value to see where it lands.

By medium where medium is recorded or stated in the catalog line

MediumResultsSell-throughMedian result (USD)
other 193 83% $5,812
photography 3 100% $23,750

Medium is recorded for 196 of 246 results (80%) — rows above cover that subset; the rest of the record is in the full ledger below.

Compared with Dickens, Charles. 1812-1870. Darwin Dickens, Charles. 1812-1870.

$3.3K$6.5K$9.8K1999: $736 median2000: $783 median2012: $2.0K median2013: $3.6K median2014: $3.3K median2015: $2.9K median2016: $2.1K median2017: $4.0K median2018: $2.8K median2019: $2.3K median2020: $1.3K median2021: $4.2K median2022: $852 median2023: $800 median2024: $1.9K median2025: $2.8K median2026: $8.3K median1998: $7.4K median2012: $1.2K median2013: $1.4K median2014: $3.2K median2015: $12K median2016: $8.0K median2017: $3.1K median2018: $4.8K median2019: $9.2K median2020: $5.7K median2021: $7.7K median2022: $5.0K median2023: $7.8K median2024: $6.5K median2025: $8.2K median2026: $5.1K median19982005201220192026
MetricDarwinDickens, Charles. 1812-1870.
Median result$5,120$2,358
Record price $500,075 $218,430
Results on record246550
Years active at auction 1998–2026 1999–2026

Related artists: Dickens, Charles. 1812-1870.DickensTolkienShakespeare, William. 1564-1616.

Market strength liquidity score, 0–100 · method

83/ 100
  • Sell-through83%
  • Meets estimate76%
  • Market depth246 results

How readily and near-estimate this market clears — sell-through, estimate reliability, and depth, blended into one score. "Meets estimate" is the share of sold lots hammering at or above the low estimate, over catalogs that print a real appraisal: a house whose printed low is a starting bid would meet its estimate on every lot, so those lots are excluded from this term only — their prices and outcomes still count in the other two. Method →

Where this artist sells best

HouseResultsSell-throughMedianvs. estimate
Bonhams 129 84% $3,392 1.08×
Sotheby's 85 67% $5,115 1.27×
Christie's 16 75% $11,386
International Autograph Auctions 11 100% $7,891 0.98×
Hermitage Fine Art 4 75% $8,505 0.91×
Ketterer Kunst 2 $2,063

The same artist across every house we cover — hammer-vs-estimate side by side. A dash in the estimate column can mean withheld rather than unpublished: the house publishes no hammer price, or its printed low is a starting bid rather than an appraisal. Method →

Prices realized 247 recorded lots — sold, passed, and upcoming — results in USD incl. premium; est. marks a premium estimated from the house's schedule ✓ Includes 26 passed lots

DateLotMediumvs. estimateEstimate USDResult USD, incl. premiumHouse
100 realized prices on this page are locked. A Research Pass reads 50 of them for $19, once — buy a pass
2026·07 Autograph letter signed ('Ch. Darwin') to [John Jenner Weir], Down, 20 May [1869] $5,339–$8,009 Christie's
2026·06 The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection... Fifth Thousand, [second edition, second issue], John Murray, 1860 $2,650–$5,300 Bonhams
2026·06 Autograph letter signed to Henry Lee, London, 17 December [1871]; with autograph envelope $7,949–$10,599 Bonhams
2026·06 (CHARLES) The Descent of Man, 2 vol., mixed issue, 1871; Expression of the Emotions, 1872 (3) $662–$927 Bonhams
2025·11 On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection, second edition, second issue, John Murray, 1860 $5,273–$7,909 Bonhams
2025·11 (CHARLES) On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection... Sixth Edition with Additions and Corrections (Eleventh Thousand), John Murray, 1872 $659–$923 Bonhams
2025·09 Charles: (1809-1882) $3,545–$4,727 International Autograph Auctions
2025·09 ´ I could not distinguish commonest weed from the rarest now extinct plant´ $5,909–$9,454 International Autograph Auctions
2025·06 ´ I could not distinguish commonest weed from the rarest now extinct plant´ $6,887–$9,182 International Autograph Auctions
2025·06 Charles: (1809-1882) $6,905–$9,206 International Autograph Auctions
2025·06 (ERASMUS) & DARWIN FAMILY Group of correspondence from members of the Darwin family, to cotton spinner, engineer and inventor William Strutt (1756-1830) $2,032–$3,386 Bonhams
2025·03 (CHARLES) On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection... Third Edition, with Additions and Corrections. (Seventh Thousand), John Murray, 1861 $1,035–$1,552 Bonhams
2024·12 Charles: (1809-1882) $5,270–$8,432 International Autograph Auctions
2024·11 Narrative of the Surveying Voyages of His Majesty's Ships Adventure and Beagle, FIRST EDITION, Henry Colburn, 1839 $12,667–$19,001 Bonhams
2024·11 Autograph letter signed to Thomas Davidson, Down, 5 May 1861 $7,600–$10,134 Bonhams
2024·11 Autograph letter signed to Joseph Dalton Hooker, Down, 5 October [1879] $5,067–$7,600 Bonhams
2024·07 Autograph letter signed ('Ch. Darwin') to Lawson Tait, Down, 6 August 1876 $12,808–$19,212 Christie's
2024·06 The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals. London: John Murray, 1872. $800–$1,200 Bonhams
2024·05 The descent of man. 2 Bände, 1871 $2,711–$2,711 Ketterer Kunst
2024·03 On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection... Third Edition, with Additions and Corrections., John Murray, 1861 $1,015–$1,523 Bonhams
2024·03 On the Origin of Species, sixth edition, 1872 $508–$762 Bonhams
2024·03 On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, FIRST EDITION, AUTHOR'S PRESENTATION COPY, 1859 $190,384–$317,306 Bonhams
2023·11 On the Origin of Species, sixth edition, 1872 $753–$1,004 Bonhams
2023·11 The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex, FIRST EDITION, John Murray, 1871 $1,229–$1,844 Bonhams
2023·11 On the Origin of Species, FIRST EDITION, John Murray, 1859; and 8 others by Darwin $49,176–$73,764 Bonhams
2023·11 (CHARLES) The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals, FIRST EDITION, second issue, AUTHOR'S PRESENTATION COPY TO ARTHUR MOSTYN OWEN, INSCRIBED "From the author" in a clerical hand on the front free endpaper, and with an AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED ("CHARLES DARWIN"), John Murray, 1872 (2) $9,835–$14,753 Bonhams
2023·07 Revised proof sheets for Insectivorous Plants . London: W. Clowes and Son for John Murray, 1875, with substantial autograph annotations, emendations and cancellations. $193,645–$258,193 Christie's
2023·07 Autograph letter signed ('Ch. Darwin') to [Richard Trevor Clarke] ('My dear Sir'), Down, 29 November [1862]. $10,328–$15,492 Christie's
2023·06 Autograph letter signed 'Charles Darwin' to Lord Sackville Cecil $5,433–$5,976 Hermitage Fine Art
2023·06 The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex. London: John Murray, 1871. $2,000–$3,000 Bonhams
2023·06 On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1860. $1,000–$1,500 Bonhams
2023·06 The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex, FIRST EDITION, John Murray, 1871 $1,909–$2,545 Bonhams
2023·06 The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication, FIRST EDITION, John Murray, 1868 $1,909–$2,545 Bonhams
2023·06 On the Origin of Species, FIRST EDITION, John Murray, 1859 $101,813–$152,719 Bonhams
2023·06 The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex, 2 vol., FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE, John Murray, 1871 $3,182–$4,454 Bonhams
2023·06 On the Various Contrivances by which British and Foreign Orchids are Fertilised by Insects, and on the Good Effects of Intercrossing. London: John Murray, 1862. $400–$600 Bonhams
2023·06 The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex. New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1871. $300–$400 Bonhams
2023·03 On the Origin of Species, FIRST EDITION, John Murray, 1859 $61,639–$86,295 Bonhams
2023·03 Charles: (1809-1882) $4,220–$6,329 International Autograph Auctions
2022·12 Manuscript draft with autograph annotations for On the various contrivances by which British and foreign orchids are fertilised by insects and on the good effects of intercrossing [c.1861-62]. $6,183–$9,892 Christie's
2022·11 Charles: (1809-1882) $4,150–$5,188 International Autograph Auctions
2022·11 On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE, John Murray, 1859 $91,499–$137,248 Bonhams
2022·11 Three fragments of greenstone from the summit of Cape Horn collected by Captain Robert FitzRoy on 19 April 1830 during the first voyage of the Beagle, and presented to Charles Darwin $4,575–$6,862 Bonhams
2022·07 Letter signed (‘Charles Darwin’) to [Charles Wyville Thomson], Down House, 3 May 1877. $3,580–$5,966 Christie's
2022·07 Letter signed (‘Charles Darwin’) to [George Murray] Humphry, Down House, 14 March 1873. s lack of rancour towards his intellectual opponents $9,545–$14,318 Christie's
2022·07 Letter signed (‘Charles Darwin’) to [Charles] Wyville Thomson, Down House, 10 October 1870. $3,580–$5,966 Christie's
2022·07 English naturalist, famous for his theory of evolution published in On t $2,013–$3,020 International Autograph Auctions
2022·07 English naturalist, famous for his theory of evolution published in On t $5,034–$8,054 International Autograph Auctions
2022·06 SCHMIDT, OSCAR. 1823-1886. Darwinismus und Socialdemocratie. Bonn: 1878. $400–$600 Bonhams
2022·06 DOHRN, ANTON. 1840-1909. Der Ursprung der Wirbelthiere und das Princip des Functionswechsels. Leipzig: 1875. $250–$350 Bonhams
2022·06 MULLER, FRITZ. 1822-1897. Für Darwin. Leipzig: 1864. $400–$600 Bonhams
2022·04 4 titles: $800–$1,200 Bonhams
2021·12 On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. London: John Murray, 1860. $6,000–$9,000 Bonhams
2021·12 The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life, John Murray, 1872 $799–$1,065 Bonhams
2021·11 Signed autograph letter to Lord Sackville Cecil $6,210–$6,775 Hermitage Fine Art
2021·06 Charles Darwin (1809-1882) $7,162–$7,759 Hermitage Fine Art
2021·02 Charles Darwin (1809-1882) $14,545–$18,182 Hermitage Fine Art
2020·12 (CHARLES) Signature ("C. Darwin") and autograph address ("W.B. Tegetmeier Esq./ Muswell Hill/ London. N."), on a folded note inserted into an autograph letter signed ("W.B. Tegetmeier") to W. Lang Esq., 16 Alexandra Grove, North Finchley, 16 February 1907 $1,360–$2,040 Bonhams
2020·12 Letter to J.E. Harting. 26 April 1876 $8,073–$12,109 Christie's
2020·12 For Private Distribution... Extracts from Letters addressed to Professor Henslow..., 1835, original wrappers $93,038–$119,621 Sotheby's
2020·12 English Naturalist. A remarkable, fine A.L.S., C. Darwin, two pages, 8vo $7,291–$10,936 International Autograph Auctions
2020·11 The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex. London: John Murray, 1871. $2,000–$3,000 Bonhams
2020·11 On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. London: John Murray, 1859. $90,000–$120,000 Bonhams
2020·07 English Naturalist. A remarkable, fine A.L.S., C. Darwin, two pages, 8vo $9,262–$13,894 International Autograph Auctions
2020·07 Gesammelte Werke. 18 Bände, 1875-1888 $1,359–$1,359 Ketterer Kunst
2020·03 (CHARLES) The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals, 8vo, all but the fourth mentioned John Murray (14) $1,293–$1,939 Bonhams
2020·03 The Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication, 2 vol., FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE, John Murray, 1868 $646–$905 Bonhams
2020·03 The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life, FIRST EDITION, John Murray, 1859 $19,391–$32,318 Bonhams
2020·03 The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex. London: John Murray, 1871. $5,000–$8,000 Bonhams
2020·03 Geological Observations on South America. Being the third part of the Geology of the Voyage of the Beagle ... by Charles Darwin ... Naturalist to the Expedition. London: Smith, Elder and Co, 1846. $4,000–$6,000 Bonhams
2020·03 The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication. London: John Murray, 1868. $2,500–$3,500 Bonhams
2019·12 charles. carte-de-visite, signed by darwin. london: elliott & fry, late 1870s $8,000–$12,000 Sotheby's
2019·12 on the origin of species by means of natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life. london: john murray, 1859 $50,000–$80,000 Sotheby's
2019·12 manuscript list of darwin's works, submitted as part of his application to the french académie des sciences, circa 1870 $15,000–$25,000 Sotheby's
2019·12 On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection. London: John Murray, 1859. $80,000–$120,000 Bonhams
2019·12 (CHARLES) HAIG (AXEL HERMAN) "Darwin's study a week after his death", all framed and glazed; and another photographic portrait of Darwin (5) $786–$1,048 Bonhams
2019·12 (CHARLES) The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex... Second Edition, Revised and Augmented. Nineteenth Thousand, CUT SIGNATURE OF CHARLES DARWIN ("Charles Darwin") pasted inside upper cover, John Murray, 1885 $786–$1,048 Bonhams
2019·12 (CHARLES) CAMERON (JULIA MARGARET) Portrait photograph of Charles Darwin, near half-length, facing left, [Freshwater, I.O.W., copyright 23 July 1868] $5,239–$7,858 Bonhams
2019·12 (CHARLES) Autograph letter signed ("C. Darwin"), to [Joseph Dalton Hooker] ("My dear H."), telling him that he "had better not send, if in earnest, the earth from St. Helena to me, as I could not distinguish commonest weed from the rarest now extinct plant"; [Down], received 23 January 1867 $5,239–$7,858 Bonhams
2019·12 On the Various Contrivances by which British and Foreign Orchids are Fertilised by Insects, FIRST EDITION, John Murray, 1862 $786–$1,048 Bonhams
2019·12 On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life, FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE, John Murray, 1859 $104,772–$157,159 Bonhams
2019·06 autograph letter signed, to [john jenner weir], 4 chester place, r[egents] park, n.w. march 22, [1868]. $20,000–$30,000 Sotheby's
2019·06 On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. London: John Murray, 1860. $4,000–$6,000 Bonhams
2019·06 On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. New York: D. Appleton & Company, 1860. $2,000–$3,000 Bonhams
2019·06 On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. London: John Murray, 1859. $200,000–$300,000 Bonhams
2019·06 On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. London: John Murray, 1860. $8,000–$12,000 Bonhams
2019·03 (CHARLES) Letter written on Darwin's behalf by his son and assistant Frank, signed ("F. Darwin"), to his cousin Clarke Hawkshaw ("My dear Clark"), assuring him that his father has read his notes on the limpet and declares that "the case is quite new to him & very interesting", "Down Beckenham" $794–$1,058 Bonhams
2019·03 O proiskhozhdenii vidov. [On the Origin of the Species.] St. Petersburg: A. I. Glazunov, 1864, [1863]. $5,000–$7,000 Bonhams
2019·03 The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals. London: John Murray, 1872. $400–$600 Bonhams
2019·03 On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1860. $4,000–$6,000 Bonhams
2019·03 On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. London: John Murray, 1860. $3,000–$4,000 Bonhams
2019·03 The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication. London: John Murray, 1868. $3,000–$4,000 Bonhams
2019·03 The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex. London: John Murray, 1871. $6,000–$8,000 Bonhams
2019·02 (CHARLES), ROBERT FITZROY and PHILIP KING Narrative of the Surveying Voyages in His Majesty's Ships Adventure and Beagle, between the years 1826 and 1836, describing their Examination of the Southern Shores of South America, and the Beagle's Circumnavigation of the Globe, 4 vol. (vol. 1-3 and Appendix to vol. 2), FIRST EDITION, Henry Colburn, 1839 $7,780–$10,374 Bonhams
2018·12 three autograph notes to williams and norgate, and related material, 1880 $3,798–$6,330 Sotheby's
2018·12 the different forms of flowers, 1877, inscribed $12,660–$18,990 Sotheby's
2018·12 autograph letter signed, to c.v. riley, 1877 $2,532–$3,798 Sotheby's
2018·12 [darwin], memorial of british authors on the subject of copyright..., [1872] $5,064–$7,596 Sotheby's
2018·10 Rubs of the Green, first edition, Chapman & Hall, 1936 $387–$645 Bonhams
2018·10 Golf From the Times, first edition, The Times, [1912] $258–$387 Bonhams

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