Martin (1909) Lewis Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Martin (1909) Lewis Art Value Price Guide

May. 11, 2023
MARTIN LEWIS Catskill Cedars.
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
MARTIN LEWIS Catskill Cedars. Drypoint, 1917. 161x177 mm 6 3/8x7 inches, full margins. Edition of only approximately 8. Signed in pencil, lower right. A superb, richly-inked impression of this extremely scarce, early print. We have found only one other impression of this prints at auction in the past 30 years; sold Swann Auction Galleries, Inc., New York, May 14, 1998, sale 1791, lot 430A. Provenance: Kennedy Galleries, Inc., New York, with the label. McCarron 22.
Swann Auction Galleries
May. 11, 2023
MARTIN LEWIS Shadow Magic.
Est: $7,000 - $10,000
MARTIN LEWIS Shadow Magic. Drypoint, 1939. 342x240 mm; 13 1/2x9 1/2 inches, full margins. Edition of approximately only 34. Signed in pencil, lower right. A superb, dark impression. Lewis originally titled this work Black Magic, Gashouse District. The scene represents an area of New York extending from 14th Street to 27th Street and from Third Avenue and Park Avenue South to the East River, that up to the mid-1900s was dominated by giant gas storage tanks. This district was largely replaced by the mammoth Stuyvesant Town—Peter Cooper Village housing developments from 1947 onward. McCarron 126.
Swann Auction Galleries
May. 11, 2023
MARTIN LEWIS Night in New York.
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
MARTIN LEWIS Night in New York. Etching, 1932. 213x225 mm; 8 1/2x8 3/4 inches, full margins. Artist's proof, aside from the edition of 135. Signed and inscribed "proof on old paper" in pencil, lower margin. Published by the Chicago Society of Etchers. A brilliant, early and richly-inked impression with strong contrasts. McCarron 102.
Swann Auction Galleries
May. 11, 2023
MARTIN LEWIS Arch, Midnight.
Est: $8,000 - $12,000
MARTIN LEWIS Arch, Midnight. Drypoint, 1930. 205x295 mm; 8 1/4x11 3/4 inches, full margins. Edition of 99. Signed in pencil, lower right. A superb, richly-inked, luminous impression with no sign of wear and all the details distinct. McCarron 84.
Swann Auction Galleries
May. 11, 2023
MARTIN LEWIS Fifth Avenue Bridge.
Est: $10,000 - $15,000
MARTIN LEWIS Fifth Avenue Bridge. Drypoint, 1928. 256x298 mm; 9 5/8x11 3/4 inches, full margins. Edition of 108. Signed and inscribed "imp." in pencil, lower right. A brilliant, luminous, richly-inked impression. Lewis (1881-1962) produced 32 prints between 1915 and 1920 before leaving for Japan that year. His stay was cut short in 1922 after experiencing difficulty learning the language and achieving little commercial success. Though brief, this sojourn to Japan proved indispensable to his artistic development. His exposure to the Japanese sensibility influenced his printmaking following his return to America (he produced no prints in Japan, only watercolors and oils), as he honed his ability to imbue the mundane with the extraordinary--to take the simple moments he witnessed around New York City, as well as his country home in nearby Connecticut, and capture their profundity and beauty in etchings and drypoints. Among Lewis's most masterful prints are those depicting scenes of New York City life. These prints have historical interest, as the imagery captures the architecture and styles of the time, while simultaneously incorporating ephemeral moments. The time of day, the weather, the lighting, the street-level views— each aspect was important and added to the atmosphere of the scene. Lewis's use of shadows and light to create mood, life and movement is most powerful in his New York prints. Fifth Avenue Bridge is among these architypal works, incorporating all of the aspects that make his prints such cherished glimpses into New York's bustling yester-year, while simultaneously capturing the timelessness of city life. McCarron 72.
Swann Auction Galleries
May. 11, 2023
MARTIN LEWIS Fishing Boats in the Rain.
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
MARTIN LEWIS Fishing Boats in the Rain. Drypoint, 1925. 253x176 mm; 9 7/8x6 7/8 inches, full margins. Edition of 41. Signed in pencil, lower right. A very good impression of this scarce drypoint. McCarron 39.
Swann Auction Galleries
May. 11, 2023
MARTIN LEWIS Clearing Rain, Evening, Japan.
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
MARTIN LEWIS Clearing Rain, Evening, Japan. Drypoint and sand ground, 1927. 378x237 mm; 14 7/8x9 3/8 inches, full margins. Edition of 72. Signed and inscribed "imp." in pencil, lower right. A superb, richly-inked impression. McCarron 59.
Swann Auction Galleries
Mar. 22, 2023
Martin Lewis - The Boyfriends, 1927
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
1927. Drypoint. Edition of 30. Full margins. Signed and inscribed "imp" in pencil, lower right. McCarron 61
Kiechel Auction
Mar. 22, 2023
Martin Lewis - A Night in New York, 1932
Est: $5,000 - $8,000
1932. Etching. Very good condition. Full margins. Edition of 135. Signed in pencil, lower right. Printed by Charles White. Published by the Chicago Society of Etchers, with the blind stamp lower left. McCarron 102
Kiechel Auction
Mar. 08, 2023
Martin Lewis, Trees at Gotemba (Japan)
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
Martin Lewis Trees at Gotemba (Japan) 1925 drypoint on Van Gelder Zonen image: 9.875 h x 6.875 w in (25 x 17 cm) sheet: 15.5 h x 11.5 w in (39 x 29 cm) Signed and titled to lower margin 'Martin Lewis Trees at Gotemba'. This work is from the edition of 60 (only 38 were realized). Literature: McCarron 40 This work will ship from Chicago, Illinois.
Toomey & Co. Auctioneers
Mar. 08, 2023
Martin Lewis, Night in New York
Est: $5,000 - $7,000
Martin Lewis Night in New York 1932 etching 9.375 h x 8.75 w in (24 x 22 cm) Signed to lower right margin 'Martin Lewis' with blindstamp. This work is a presentation print for the Chicago Society of Etchers. Literature: Kennedy & McCarron 42 | McCarron 102 This work will ship from Chicago, Illinois.
Toomey & Co. Auctioneers
Nov. 16, 2022
Martin Lewis, Showers on the Bay (Japan)
Est: $800 - $1,200
Martin Lewis Showers on the Bay (Japan) 1925 drypoint and sandpaper ground image: 7.875 h × 11.875 w in (20 × 30 cm) sheet: 12.25 h × 18.75 w in (31 × 48 cm) Signed to lower right margin 'Martin Lewis'. Printed signature to lower right 'Martin Lewis'. This work is from the edition of 60. Literature: McCarron 46 This work will ship from Chicago, Illinois.
Toomey & Co. Auctioneers
Nov. 16, 2022
Martin Lewis, Night in New York
Est: $5,000 - $7,000
Martin Lewis Night in New York 1932 etching image: 9.375 h × 8.75 w in (24 × 22 cm) sheet: 11 h × 11.5 w in (28 × 29 cm) Signed to lower right margin 'Martin Lewis'. Printed signature to lower right 'Martin Lewis'. This work is a presentation print for the Chicago Society of Etchers, blindstamp to lower left. This work will ship from Chicago, Illinois.
Toomey & Co. Auctioneers
Jun. 26, 2020
Martin Lewis, Night in New York
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
Martin Lewis Night in New York 1932 etching 13.375 h × 13.375 w in (34 × 34 cm) Signed to lower right 'Martin Lewis'. Provenance: The Collection of Gil and Deborah Williams Literature: McCarron 102 condition: Chicago Society of Etchers blindstamp to lower left. Good condition with light toning and one dog ear to lower left corner. Heavier toning to sheet within mat window. Framed behind glass measuring 17 x 17 x 1 inches.
Rago Arts and Auction Center
May. 21, 2020
MARTIN LEWIS Fifth Avenue Bridge.
Est: $8,000 - $12,000
MARTIN LEWIS Fifth Avenue Bridge. Drypoint, 1928. 256x298 mm; 9 5/8x11 3/4 inches, full margins. Edition of 108. Signed in pencil, lower right. Ex-collection the Bethesda Art Gallery, Bethesda, with the label. A luminous, richly-inked impression of this important print. Lewis (1881-1962) produced 32 prints between 1915 and 1920 before leaving for Japan that year. His stay was cut short in 1922 after experiencing difficulty learning the language and achieving little commercial success. Though brief, this sojourn to Japan proved indispensable to his artistic development. His exposure to the Japanese sensibility influenced his printmaking following his return to America (he produced no prints in Japan, only watercolors and oils), as he honed his ability to imbue the mundane with the extraordinary--to take the simple moments he witnessed around New York City, as well as his country home in nearby Connecticut, and capture their profundity and beauty in etchings and drypoints. McCarron 72.
Swann Auction Galleries
Mar. 05, 2020
MARTIN LEWIS "The Old Timer" Battleship.
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
MARTIN LEWIS "The Old Timer" Battleship. Etching, 1916. 250x325 mm; 10x12 3/4 inches, full margins. Edition of approximately only 17. Signed and inscribed "imp" in pencil, lower right. A very good impression of this extremely scarce etching. We have found only 3 other impressions at auction in the past 30 years. McCarron 9.
Swann Auction Galleries
Oct. 29, 2019
MARTIN LEWIS Ha'nted.
Est: $5,000 - $8,000
MARTIN LEWIS Ha'nted. Drypoint and sandpaper ground on wove paper, 1932. 335x230 mm; 13 1/8x8 7/8, full margins. Edition of 107. Signed in pencil, lower right. A brilliant, luminous and richly-inked impression with very strong contrasts. McCarron 100.
Swann Auction Galleries
Jun. 13, 2019
MARTIN LEWIS Shadows, Garage at Night.
Est: $6,000 - $9,000
MARTIN LEWIS Shadows, Garage at Night. Conté crayon on light tan wove paper, circa 1928. 257x320 mm; 10x12 3/4 inches. Signed "Martin Lewis P.L." in pencil by the artist's daughter-in-law, Patricia Lewis, lower right recto. Ex-collection Lucille Deming Lewis Collection, the artist's widow, with the estate ink stamp, verso; private collection, Connecticut. This work is a study for the same-titled 1928 drypoint by Lewis (McCarron 75). According to McCarron, "there is a prepatory drawing for this print in charcoal, pencil and brown crayon on gray brown paper (LDL-323, 255x330 mm), signed by Patricia Lewis, after the artist's death," ( The Prints of Martin Lewis: A Catalogue Raisonné, New York, 1995, page 130).
Swann Auction Galleries
Jun. 13, 2019
MARTIN LEWIS Two portrait drawings.
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
MARTIN LEWIS Two portrait drawings. The Feathered Hat, pencil on paper, 1930. 223x150 mm; 8 7/8x5 7/8 inches. Signed "Martin Lewis P.L." by the artist's daughter-in-law, Patricia Lewis, lower right recto * Figure Study, pencil on paper, 1940-41. 200x125 mm; 7 7/8x4 7/8 inches. Signed "Martin Lewis P.L." by the artist's daughter-in-law, Patricia Lewis, lower left recto. Ex-collection Lucille Deming Lewis Collection, the artist's widow, both with the estate ink stamp and inventory number, verso; private collection, Connecticut.
Swann Auction Galleries
Nov. 01, 2018
MARTIN LEWIS Madison Square, Rainy Night.
Est: $20,000 - $30,000
MARTIN LEWIS Madison Square, Rainy Night. Etching and drypoint, circa 1915-16. 272x349 mm; 10 3/4x13 3/4 inches, full margins. Second state (of 2). One of only several proofs in both states. Signed in pencil, lower right. A superb, richly-inked impression of this extremely scarce, early etching, with crisp, inky plate edges. McCarron 7.
Swann Auction Galleries
Sep. 20, 2018
MARTIN LEWIS On the River.
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
MARTIN LEWIS On the River. Etching, 1915. 375x300 mm; 14 3/4x11 7/8 inches, full margins. Edition of 21. Signed, titled and inscribed "imp" in pencil, lower margin. A superb impression of this extremely scarce, early etching. We have found only one other impression at auction in the past 30 years. McCarron 2.
Swann Auction Galleries
Apr. 28, 2016
MARTIN LEWIS Above the Yards, Weehawken.
Est: $8,000 - $12,000
MARTIN LEWIS Above the Yards, Weehawken. Aquatint and etching, 1918. 450x603 mm; 17 3/4x23 3/4 inches, full margins. Edition of only approximately 15 lifetime impressions (aside from the posthumous edition of 100). Signed in pencil, lower right. This is one of only approximately 15 lifetime impressions of this subject. In 1972, Kennedy Galleries, New York, with the consent of the artist's estate, produced a posthumous edition of 100 impressions to coincide with a major retrospective of Lewis' (1881-1962) work on the decade anniversary of his death. McCarron 33.
Swann Auction Galleries
Apr. 25, 2016
Martin Lewis DAY'S END Drypoint
Est: $15,000 - $20,000
Martin Lewis DAY'S END (MCC.120) Drypoint, 1937, on wove paper, signed in pencil, from the edition of approximately 34, with full margins, framed. 9 3/4 x 13 1/2 inches; 248 x 343 mm. Sheet 13 7/16 x 17 inches; 341 x 432 mm. Ex. collection: Patricia Lewis C
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
Sep. 12, 2015
Martin Lewis, (American, 1909-1979), Chance Meeting, 1940-1941, drypoint, 10.5" x 7.5"
Est: $8,000 - $10,000
Martin Lewis (American, 1909-1979) Chance Meeting, 1940-1941 drypoint signed in pencil, edition of 105 10.5" x 7.5" Provenance: David Tunick, Inc., New York, New York Acquired from the above by the present owner Literature: McCarron, 131
Toomey & Co. Auctioneers
Sep. 22, 2011
MARTIN LEWIS Night in New York.
Est: $6,000 - $9,000
MARTIN LEWIS Night in New York. Etching, 1932. 213x225 mm; 8 3/8x8 7/8 inches, full margins. Edition of 135. Signed in pencil, lower right. Printed by Charles White. Published by the Chicago Society of Etchers, with the blind stamp lower left. A superb impression. McCarron 102.
Swann Auction Galleries