Charles Lees Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Charles Lees Art Value Price Guide

Mar. 08, 2025
After Charles LEES: "The Golfers" - 300+ Etchings
Est: $100 - $200
A large collection of over 300 hand colored etchings after an oil painting by Charles Lees (Scottish, 1800-1880) titled "The Golfers / St. Andrews / 1847". The famous scene depicts a match in progress on the Ginger Beer Hole (15th) on the Old Course at St. Andrews between Sir David Baird of Newbyth and Sir Ralph Anstruther of Balcaskie, against Major Playfair and John Campbell, Esq. of Glen Saddel. Published in France by Sidney Z. Lucas and the Paris Etching Society, mid 20th century. Provenance: Phyllis Lucas Gallery, New York. [Each sheet: 20" H x 25.5" W]. Vintage condition, with toning, age/handling wear, water damage, stains, marks, tears, and other damages.
Roland Auctions NY
May. 23, 2024
CHARLES LEES, R.S.A. (CUPAR 1800-1880 EDINBURGH) Moonlit Scene in Yorkshire signed an
Est: $8,000 - $12,000
CHARLES LEES, R.S.A. (CUPAR 1800-1880 EDINBURGH) Moonlit Scene in Yorkshire signed and dated 'C. Lees. R.S.A./1858' (lower left) oil on canvas 21 x 30 in. (53.3 x 76.2 cm.)
Christie's
Nov. 08, 2023
Charles Lees (1800-1880) "End of the Day"
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
Charles Lees (United Kingdom, 1800-1880) "End of the Day", pastel drawing on paper, signed. Size: 19'' x 15'', 48 x 38 cm (sight); 27'' x 23.5'', 69 x 60 cm (frame). Provenance: Gifted to consignor by a family member of the artist.
Material Culture
Oct. 15, 2023
Charles Lees (1800-1880) Hand Colored Engraving by Charles E. Wagstaffe The Golfers
Est: $200 - $300
Charles Lees (1800-1880) Hand Colored Engraving by Charles E. Wagstaffe The Golfers. The Golfers: A Grand Match Played Over St. Andrew's Links, 1850. Good condition. Mat is fixed to engraving. Approx. 26 in. H x 32 in. W. 16.5 in. H x 23.5 in. W (plate).
Hughes Auctions
Sep. 23, 2023
Charles Lees "The Golfers" Hand Colored Engraving
Est: $800 - $1,200
Featured in this lot is this hand painted engraving of Charles Lees's original painting done in 1847 titled, "The Golfers: A Grand Match Played Over the St. Andrews", with the engraving and hand coloring done by Charles E. Wagstaff circa late 1800s to early 1900s. This engraving depicts one of the most well-known golf paintings ever created, with the "Ginger Beer hole" at the Old Course in St. Andrews as the backdrop. The engraving depicts a scene from the October 1841 meeting of the Royal & Ancient. The game between Major Playfair and John Campbell and Sir David Baird and Sir Ralph Anstruther is shown in the scene. Numerous other well-known golfers can also be named. Lees took great pride in capturing the true likeness of the actual players and spectators in his famed portrait paintings. The original Charles Lees painting, which stood an impressive and imposing four feet and three inches tall by seven feet wide, was completed in 1847. Three years later, Charles Wagstaffs black and white line engraving was published by Alexander Hill, in Edinburgh, in 1850. In Cupar, Fife, Charles Lees (18001880) was born. He received his art training in Edinburgh under the tutelage of renowned portraitist Sir Henry Raeburn. He returned to Edinburgh and established himself as a portrait painter after spending six months traveling and painting in Rome. In 1830, Lees was chosen as a Royal Scottish Academician. He started writing about sports in the 1840s, focusing on curling and golf. His first major sporting picture was "The Golfers". The engraving shows a group of golfers and spectators watching the historic match as they crowd the green and hole watching to see if the putt was made. The engraving reads at the bottom, "Edinburgh, 20 December 1850 published by Alexander Hills print seller to the Queen, 67 Princess Street / The Golfers / A grand match played over St. Andrews Links". In the bottom right hand corner, right below the engraving it reads, "Engraved by Charles E. Wagstaff", while the bottom left hand corner under the engraving reads, "Painted by Charles Lees". The engraving is set in a wood frame, sits behind glass and is single matted. The engraving and frame show good condition overall with no signs of obvious damage present. The visible art measures 15 15/16" L x 24 3/4" W, while the entire piece measures 25 3/8" L x 33 1/4" W.
North American Auction Company
Sep. 14, 2023
After Charles Lees RSA The Curling Match engraved by John le Conte (together with 'Key to Mr Lees' picture of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club at Linlithgow'. (2))
Est: £500 - £700
After Charles Lees RSA The Curling Match engraved by John le Conte engraving 65.5 x 101cm (25 13/16 x 39 3/4in). together with 'Key to Mr Lees' picture of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club at Linlithgow'. (2)
Bonhams
Jun. 07, 2021
CHARLES LEES RSA (SCOTTISH, 1800-1880) SUMMER EVENING ON MUSSELBURGH LINKS, MONOCHROME PHOTOGRAVURE,
Est: £2,000 - £3,000
Charles Lees RSA (Scottish, 1800-1880) SUMMER EVENING ON MUSSELBURGH LINKS, monochrome photogravure, image: 13” x 24”, framed: 30” x 39”
Graham Budd Auctions
Dec. 08, 2020
Charles Lees (1800-1880) Tranquil coastal landscape under moonlight 18.75 x 29.5in.
Est: £500 - £800
Charles Lees (1800-1880) oil on canvas Tranquil coastal landscape under moonlight signed and dated 1865 18.75 x 29.5in.
Gorringes
May. 10, 2020
A 1847 Color Etching The Golfers by Charles Lees
Est: $100 - $150
A 1847 Color Etching The Golfers, A Grand Match Played Over St. Andrews Links by Charles Lees (1800 - 1880). Charles Lees was active/lived in the United Kingdom. Charles Lees is known for painting. Size: 15 1/2 X 22 3/4 in.
Antique Arena Inc
May. 23, 2018
CHARLES LEES R.S.A. (SCOTTISH 1800-1880) THE MUSIC SCORE 76cm x 63.5cm (30in x 25in)
Est: £1,000 - £1,500
CHARLES LEES R.S.A. (SCOTTISH 1800-1880) THE MUSIC SCORE Oil on canvas 76cm x 63.5cm (30in x 25in)
Lyon & Turnbull
Apr. 25, 2018
* Charles Lees, RSA (Scottish, 1800-1880) A summer evening on the Musselburgh Links: Golfers 55 x 98 cm. (21 5/8 x 38 9/16 in.)
Est: £150,000 - £200,000
Charles Lees, RSA (Scottish, 1800-1880) A summer evening on the Musselburgh Links: Golfers signed and dated 'C. Lees R.S.A./1859' (lower left)oil on canvas55 x 98 cm. (21 5/8 x 38 9/16 in.)
Bonhams
Oct. 11, 2017
Charles Lees, RSA (Scottish, 1800-1880) A summer evening on the Musselburg
Est: £300,000 - £500,000
Charles Lees, RSA (Scottish, 1800-1880) A summer evening on the Musselburgh Links: Golfers 55 x 98 cm. (21 5/8 x 38 9/16 in.)
Bonhams
Jul. 15, 2017
Print, After Charles Lees
Est: $100 - $200
After Charles Lees (Scottish, 1800-1880), "The Golfers - A Grand Match Played Over St. Andrew''s Links," handcolored engraving, engraved by Chalres E. Wagstaff (British, 1808- ?), printed by W. Wolding of Edinburgh, overall (with frame): 33.5"h x 46.5"w
Clars Auctions
Jun. 17, 2017
Print, After Charles Lees
Est: $300 - $500
After Charles Lees (Scottish, 1800-1880), "The Golfers - A Grand Match Played Over St. Andrew''s Links," handcolored engraving, engraved by Chalres E. Wagstaff (British, 1808- ?), printed by W. Wolding of Edinburgh, overall (with frame): 33.5"h x 46.5"w
Clars Auctions
May. 20, 2017
Print, After Charles Lees
Est: $800 - $1,200
After Charles Lees (Scottish, 1800-1880), "The Golfers - A Grand Match Played Over St. Andrew''s Links," handcolored engraving, engraved by Chalres E. Wagstaff (British, 1808- ?), printed by W. Wolding of Edinburgh, overall (with frame): 33.5"h x 46.5"w
Clars Auctions
Dec. 02, 2016
Charles Lees (1800-1880) RSA Scottish, Oil on canvas, Noble lady reading le
Est: £1,200 - £1,500
Charles Lees (1800-1880) RSA Scottish, Oil on canvas, Noble lady reading letter in her dressing room, lit by light from an armorial stained glass flanked window and being watched by a gentleman (father?), Signed and dated ' 1830 ' lower right. 30 1/4 x 25''
Claydon Auctioneers
Nov. 12, 2016
Charles Lees (1800-1880) RSA Scottish, Oil on canvas, Noble lady reading letter in her dressing room, lit by light from an armorial stained glass flanked window and being watched by a gentleman (father?), Signed and dated ' 1830 ' lower right. 30 1/4
Est: £2,000 - £3,000
Charles Lees (1800-1880) RSA Scottish, Oil on canvas, Noble lady reading letter in her dressing room, lit by light from an armorial stained glass flanked window and being watched by a gentleman (father?), Signed and dated ' 1830 ' lower right. 30 1/4 x 25''
Claydon Auctioneers
Feb. 27, 2014
The Golfers: A Grand Match Played Over the St. Andrews Links
Est: $5,000 - $8,000
<p> Hand-colored steel engraving by Charles E. Wagstaffe after the original oil painting by Charles Lees. 20½x33¼ image on a 25½x37½ overall sheet. Printed by W. Wolding, Edin. Matted and framed.</p>
PBA Galleries Auctions & Appraisers
Feb. 04, 2014
Lithograph, "The Golfers," Charles Lees (English, 1800-1880), N2HNI
Est: $200 - $400
Engraved by Chas. E Wagstaffe, titled "The Golfers: A Grand Match Played over St. Andrew`s Links," by Sir David Baird of Newbyth Bart & Sir Ralph Anstruther of Balcaskie, Bart Against Major Playfair & John Cambell, Esq of Saddell.
Nye & Company
Jun. 01, 2013
After Charles Lees RSA (1800-1880) 'Portrait of a
Est: £20 - £30
After Charles Lees RSA (1800-1880) 'Portrait of a Gentleman' Reproduction engraving by Edward Burton, 41 x 61cm
Shapes Auctioneers & Valuers
Feb. 13, 2013
CHARLES LEES R.S.A. (SCOTTISH 1800-1880) EUPHEMIA, THE MUSICIAN 66cm x 63.5cm (30in x 25in)
Est: £1,500 - £2,000
CHARLES LEES R.S.A. (SCOTTISH 1800-1880) EUPHEMIA, THE MUSICIAN Oil on canvas 66cm x 63.5cm (30in x 25in)
Lyon & Turnbull
Jun. 01, 2012
Sporting Memorabilia - Golfing Artwork : Charles
Est: £50 - £75
Sporting Memorabilia - Golfing Artwork : Charles Lees (1800-1880) after "THE GOLFERS - A GRAND MATCH PLAYED OVER THE LINKS OF ST ANDREWS" colour print from the original painting in 1847 c/w key plate - mf&g overall 28.5 x 40" (2)
Mullocks Specialist Auctioneers
May. 17, 2011
CHARLES LEES
Est: £100,000 - £200,000
CHARLES LEES 1800-1880 SKATERS, A SCENE ON DUDDINGSTON LOCH NEAR EDINBURGH signed and dated on the edge of the sled in the foreground: C Lees. F. 1853 oil on canvas 84 by 127cm.; 33 by 50in.
Sotheby's
Apr. 28, 2011
[ Sporting Memorabilia - Golf ]
Est: £20 - £30
Charles Lees (after) (1800-1880) "THE GOLFERS - A GRAND MATCH PLAYED OVER THE LINKS OF ST ANDREWS" colour print from the original painting in 1847 overall 28.5 x 40" c/w key plate f&g - mf&g
Mullocks Specialist Auctioneers
Oct. 14, 2010
Charles Lees, RSA (Scottish, 1800-1880) Euphemia (the musician)
Est: £2,000 - £3,000
Euphemia (the musician) label fragment verso oil on canvas 75.5 x 63.5cm (29 3/4 x 25in).
Bonhams
Oct. 14, 2010
Charles Lees, RSA (Scottish, 1800-1880) Portrait of a gentleman
Est: £300 - £500
Portrait of a gentleman oil on canvas 60 x 50cm (23 5/8 x 19 11/16in).
Bonhams
Oct. 14, 2010
Charles Lees, RSA (Scottish, 1800-1880) The Young Connoisseur
Est: £2,000 - £3,000
The Young Connoisseur oil on canvas 63.5 x 76.5cm (25 x 30 1/8in).
Bonhams
Oct. 14, 2010
Charles Lees, RSA (Scottish, 1800-1880) Young boy with a bubble pipe
Est: £2,000 - £3,000
Young boy with a bubble pipe oil on canvas 126 x 101cm (49 5/8 x 39 3/4in).
Bonhams
Jun. 16, 2010
Charles Lees R.S.A. (1800-1880): An important mid-19th Century preliminary oil on paper portrait of John Campbell of Glensaddell Painted in preparation for 'The Golfers A Grand Match Played on St. Andrews Links 1841'. The painting has been left
Est: £8,000 - £12,000
Painted in preparation for 'The Golfers A Grand Match Played on St. Andrews Links 1841'. The painting has been left untouched and undivided on board. Provenance: From a private collection in Surrey, England and a Christie's catalogue entry circa 1940, a copy of which is attached to the reverse of the painting.
Bonhams
Jun. 16, 2010
Charles Lees R.S.A. (1800-1880): An important mid-19th Century preliminary oil on paper portrait of Viscount Valentia painted in preparation for 'The Golfers A Grand Match Played on St. Andrews Links 1841'. The painting has been left untouched and
Est: £8,000 - £12,000
painted in preparation for 'The Golfers A Grand Match Played on St. Andrews Links 1841'. The painting has been left untouched and undivided on board. This lot also includes a copy of 'Challenges & Champions', The Royal and Ancient Club 1754-1883, by John Behrend and Peter N. Lewis. 5 x 3½ inches Provenance: From a private collection in Surrey, England and a Christie's catalogue entry circa 1940, a copy of which is attached to the reverse of the painting.
Bonhams
Feb. 18, 2010
[ Sporting Memorabilia / Cricket ]
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
Lees, Charles (1800-1880). The Golfers: A Grand Match Played Over the St. Andrews Links. Hand-colored steel engraving by Charles E. Wagstaffe after the original oil painting by Charles Lees. 21x34 image on a 25x36 overall sheet. Printed by W. Wolding, Edin. This one stated "Proof" in lower left margin Edinburgh: Alexander Hill, 1850 Unlike others offered recently at auction, this engraving is marked Proof. The work shows a moment captured from the 1841 Royal & Ancient annual meeting. The scene depicts the encounter between Sir David Baird and Sir Ralph Anstruther playing against Major Playfair and John Campbell. Dozens of other well known golfers can be identified by the key made at the time of painting, and included in reference texts. The original painting by Charles Lees was finished in 1847 and measured 4'3"x7'. Three years later, "[Charles] Wagstaff's black-and-white line engraving was published by Hill in 1850 and can be seen in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and the R & A collection. So e prints were then coloured..." -Golfing Art, edited by Phil Pilley, (1988 p.36. Olman's Encyclopedia of Golf Collectibles (1985), p. 171; Golf in Art by Michael Hobbs, (1996), p. 35. Dampstained at left edge, and upper and lower corner, mostly marginal, but extend approximately 1/4 " into the image, marginal dampstain on bottom right edge; loosely mounted to an old board matte; lightly foxed at margins; a very good and scarce example of the early proof issue of the engraving.
PBA Galleries Auctions & Appraisers
Aug. 06, 2009
Lees, Charles (1800-1880). "The Golfers" - framed
Est: $300 - $500
Lees, Charles (1800-1880). "The Golfers" - framed print. High quality color reproduction print, "Homelovers Print". Approximately 17x25", framed and matted, 25x33" overall. London: Forst & Reed Ltd., 1951 Originally painted in 1847 and first engraved in 1850; "a popular work showing a match at St. Andrews with Sir David Baird and Sir Ralph Anstruther playing against Major Playfair and John Campbell. Dozens of other well known golfers are shown in the scene and can be identified on the accompanying key plate [printed sheet affixed on frame verso]. Individual portraits of the different characters were made by Lees before he made the large painting" - Olman's Encyclopedia of Golf Collectibles (1985), p. 171. Not examined outside of frame; else fine.
PBA Galleries Auctions & Appraisers
Oct. 26, 2006
Charles Lees, R.S.A. (1800-1880)
Est: £100,000 - £150,000
Winter Day - A slide scene, Duddingstone Loch signed and dated 'C.Lees.RSA 1859' (lower right) and indistinctly inscribed 'Exhibited Royal Scottish Academy' (on a label attached to the reverse) oil on canvas 30 1/8 x 50 1/8 in. (76.5 x 127.3 cm.)
Christie's
Jul. 13, 2005
CHARLES LEES 1800-1880 JOHN MILTON
Est: £1,000 - £1,500
signed and dated 1830 oil on canvas
Sotheby's
May. 26, 2004
CHARLES LEES, 1800-1880
Est: £3,000 - £5,000
signed and dated 1830 oil on canvas
Sotheby's