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James Kenneth Ralston Sold at Auction Prices

Historical-scenes painter, Illustrator, Sculptor, Wall painter, b. 1896 - d. 1987

J.K. Ralston (American 1896-1987) was an accomplished painter of the Old American West who was born in Choteau, Montana in 1896, the 19th Century. Ralston's works are on display at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, the Western Heritage Center, the Montana Historical Society and the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument Museum.

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  • James Ralston Indians Camped Pen & Ink Drawing
    Feb. 08, 2025

    James Ralston Indians Camped Pen & Ink Drawing

    Est: $600 - $800

    Illustrated on page 176 Both Feet in the Stirrups by Bill Huntington. Pen and Ink on Paper. 14 1/2" by 18" framed. Some foxing in the field as shown. James Kenneth Ralston (1896 - 1987) was active/lived in Montana. James Ralston is known for Historical-west, genre painting, illustration. James Kenneth Ralston was born in Choteau, Montana, on March 31, 1896. His paternal grandparents, left Independence, Missouri, by ox team for the gold camps of Colorado in 1859. His father was the first born to Samuel F. and Mary Gregg Ralston. In 1863, they headed for Idaho, and in 1864 they moved to the Alder Gulch area in the Montana Territory. In the spring of 1878, his father, Will Ralston, moved the Ralston cattle to the Teton River near Choteau, Montana. In 1885, Will Ralston married Ellen Mathewson and they had five children of which James Kenneth Ralston was the fifth child. In 1903, Will Ralston took over as the general manager of the Flying U Ranch near Choteau, Montana. They then moved to Helena where James Kenneth Ralston received his first formal art instruction. In 1905, his father was engaged by B. H. Tatum of Helena to put together a cow outfit. In 1906, the family moved from Helena to the Capital P ranch just south of the Missouri River across from the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. In 1917, he went to Chicago and enrolled at the Chicago Art Institute for a brief three month tuition. Upon entering the U. S. Army the following spring, he served with the 62nd Infantry, Eighth Division. In the fall of 1920, he again went to Chicago and entered the Chicago Art Institute again. After his marriage in 1923 to his wife, Willo, they went to the Pacific coast where for seven years he worked as a commercial artist doing illustrations for books, newspapers, and advertising agencies. They came back to Montana in 1930 to take over his father's ranch, the Roman E, near Culbertson, but the Depression and drought made them leave in 1935. They decided on Billings for his studio and that began his vocation as a professional artist. His work is in the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis, Missouri; the Custer Battlefield National Monument; and the Montana Historical Society in Helena, Montana. His murals adorn many fine retail and professional locations throughout the country. James Kenneth Ralston died in 1987.

    Davis Brothers Auction
  • JAMES RALSTON "THREE CORNER MOUNTAIN" OIL ON CANVAS
    May. 05, 2024

    JAMES RALSTON "THREE CORNER MOUNTAIN" OIL ON CANVAS

    Est: -

    James Kenneth Ralston (1896 - 1987) "Three Corner Mountain" Oil on Canvas. James Kenneth Ralston was born in Choteau, Montana in 1896. His work is in the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis, Missouri; the Custer Battlefield National Monument; and the Montana Historical Society in Helena, Montana. Artist: James Ralston Title: "Three Corner Mountain" Medium: Oil on Canvas Signature Type: Hand Signed Signature Location: Lower Left Site Measurement: 24" x 36" Image Keywords: Southwestern, Western Artwork, Art; Ref: BD1992

    Bradford's
  • J.K. Ralston Signed & Dated Print
    Apr. 06, 2022

    J.K. Ralston Signed & Dated Print

    Est: $100 - $200

    J.K. Ralston Signed & Dated Print. Measures 10-in. x 40-in. image size. Professionally framed. This item requires buyer pick up or use of an outside shipper. If lot is absent of a condition report one may be requested via email. Condition report is provided as an opinion only and is no guarantee as condition can be subjective. Buyer must view photographs or scans to assist in determining condition and ask further questions if so desired. This item requires the use of an outside shipper. Buyer to select shipper and make all arrangements. Here are 2 options: The UPS Store 12402 N Division St, Spokane, WA 99218 509-467-4451 [email protected]. Or, Action Shipping 11807 E Trent Ave, Spokane, WA 99206 509-926-2445 [email protected]

    Grant Zahajko Auctions, LLC
  • JAMES KENNETH RALSTON (1896 - 1987): COWBOY
    Dec. 09, 2021

    JAMES KENNETH RALSTON (1896 - 1987): COWBOY

    Est: $400 - $600

    oil on canvas; signed and dated 192[?] lower right; titled to gallery label; Provenance: Estate of Dewitt McCall; Condition: wax-lined; 9 x 13 inches; 16 x 19 3/4 inches frame

    Abell Auction
  • JAMES KENNETH RALSTON (1896 - 1987): COWBOY
    Oct. 14, 2021

    JAMES KENNETH RALSTON (1896 - 1987): COWBOY

    Est: $400 - $600

    oil on canvas; signed and dated 192[?] lower right; titled to gallery label; Provenance: Estate of Dewitt McCall; Condition: wax-lined; 9 x 13 inches; 16 x 19 3/4 inches frame

    Abell Auction
  • JK Ralston (1896-1987) Original Women of the West
    Jul. 13, 2019

    JK Ralston (1896-1987) Original Women of the West

    Est: $1,000 - $3,000

    This is an original and scarce James Kenneth Ralston oil on stretched canvas titled, “Women of the West” and dated 1973. J.K. Ralston (American 1896-1987) was an accomplished painter of the Old American West who was born in Choteau, Montana in 1896, the 19th Century. Ralston’s works are on display at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, the Western Heritage Center, the Montana Historical Society and the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument Museum. The work of art, which is in a nice medium to larger size, shows a group of Montana Native American Indians (possibly Crow, Flathead, Sioux, Blackfoot, or Gros Ventre) all being women traveling across a Montana valley with a Mountain Range in the background. The main character of the painting is a woman in full dress on horseback with drag poles and wearing a papoose cradle board. Also shown in the painting are multiple wolf-dogs (wolfdogs) with drag poles on their backs. The painting is signed in the lower right, “JK RALSTON – 73” and is handwritten on the back “WOMEN OF THE WEST”. Very few original paintings have been offered for sale and one example was shown on the Antiques Roadshow and appraised at a value of $15,000 by Alan Fausel of Bonhams, New York (this example shows the same size, and coloring with our example having better subject matter). The piece shows good coloring and overall good condition with some wear (beneath the central figures hoof is some chipping and, in the sky, also shows some flaking, but can be repaired). The work of art canvas measures 26” by 18”. The frame is 30.25” by 22.25”. The horse also shows some chipping as shown.

    North American Auction Company
  • The Attack by James Ralston
    Sep. 14, 2018

    The Attack by James Ralston

    Est: $12,000 - $18,000

    James Ralston (1896-1987), oil on canvas, 48 x 80, signed lower left

    Jackson Hole Art Auction
  • Goin' to Town by James Ralston
    Sep. 14, 2018

    Goin' to Town by James Ralston

    Est: $10,000 - $15,000

    James Ralston (1896-1987), oil on canvas, 48 x 72, signed lower left

    Jackson Hole Art Auction
  • River Fort by James Ralston
    Sep. 14, 2018

    River Fort by James Ralston

    Est: $12,000 - $18,000

    James Ralston (1896-1987), oil on canvas, 48 x 72, signed lower right

    Jackson Hole Art Auction
  • Return of the War Party by James Ralston
    Sep. 14, 2018

    Return of the War Party by James Ralston

    Est: $15,000 - $25,000

    James Ralston (1896-1987), oil on canvas, 48 x 72, signed lower right

    Jackson Hole Art Auction
  • James K. Ralston, bronze
    Mar. 17, 2018

    James K. Ralston, bronze

    Est: $2,000 - $3,000

    James K. Ralston (1896-1987) Brother Frank Topping off the Broomtail 13 ¼" x 7 ¼" x 4" bronze Inscribed: J.K. Ralston, © 12/100, Stamped BB $2,000-3,000

    March In Montana
  • Ralston, J.K. (1896-1987) "Cowboy and Rabbit"
    Jan. 19, 2018

    Ralston, J.K. (1896-1987) "Cowboy and Rabbit"

    Est: $200 - $400

    Ralston, J.K. (1896-1987) "Cowboy and Rabbit"

    Scottsdale Art Auction, LLC
  • Ralston, J.K. (1896-1987) "The Boasters"
    Jan. 19, 2018

    Ralston, J.K. (1896-1987) "The Boasters"

    Est: $6,000 - $9,000

    Ralston, J.K. (1896-1987) "The Boasters"

    Scottsdale Art Auction, LLC
  • Ralston, J.K. (1896-1987) "Fur Company's Men"
    Jan. 19, 2018

    Ralston, J.K. (1896-1987) "Fur Company's Men"

    Est: $5,000 - $7,000

    Ralston, J.K. (1896-1987) "Fur Company's Men"

    Scottsdale Art Auction, LLC
  • James Kenneth Ralston (1896-1987)
    Nov. 08, 2015

    James Kenneth Ralston (1896-1987)

    Est: $400 - $800

    Ca.1960s, Large and unique signed original pen and pastel depicting a cowboy and his mount taking a break. 20" x 13" (31-1/4" x 24-1/4" framed)

    Allard Auctions
  • JAMES KENNETH RALSTON (1896-1987) Captain Clark on the Yellowstone oil on canvas signed lower right J. K. Ralston 66 11"...
    Apr. 11, 2015

    JAMES KENNETH RALSTON (1896-1987) Captain Clark on the Yellowstone oil on canvas signed lower right J. K. Ralston 66 11"...

    Est: $1,500 - $2,500

    JAMES KENNETH RALSTON (1896-1987) Captain Clark on the Yellowstone oil on canvas signed lower right J. K. Ralston 66 11" x 14"

    Nadeau's Auction Gallery
  • Chromolithograph of Custer's Last Stand by J.K. Ralston,
    Aug. 28, 2009

    Chromolithograph of Custer's Last Stand by J.K. Ralston,

    Est: $100 - $200

    14" x 20", with printed title Call of the Bugle. Matted and framed, 23.75" x 32.5". J.K. Ralston (1896-1987), noted American painter and illustrator best known for his genre scenes and depictions of the historic west. A dramatic portrayal of Custer and the 7th U.S. Cavalry fighting the Native American Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne at the Battle of Little Big Horn.

    Cowan's Auctions
  • Ralston, James Kenneth
    Feb. 11, 2006

    Ralston, James Kenneth

    Est: $500 - $800

    Ralston, James Kenneth Montana (1896-1987) THREE WORKS: BISON FAMILY bronze with dark brown patina, on wood base signed: on base H8" W11" D4", H8" W10" D3", and H5" W6" D2 1/2" *Artist biography: James Kenneth Ralston was born in Choteau, Montana, on March 31, 1896. His paternal grandparents left Independence, Missouri, by ox team for the gold camps of Colorado in 1859. His father was the first child born to Samuel F. and Mary Gregg Ralston. In 1863, they headed for Idaho and in 1864, moved to the Alder Gulch area in the Montana Territory. In the spring of 1878, his father, Will Ralston, moved the Ralston cattle to the Teton River near Choteau, Montana. In 1885, Will Ralston married Ellen Mathewson, and they had five children; James Kenneth Ralston was the fifth child. In 1903, Will Ralston took over as the general manager of the Flying U Ranch near Choteau, Montana. They moved to Helena, where James Kenneth Ralston received his first formal art instruction. In 1905, his father was engaged by B. H. Tatum of Helena to put together a cow outfit. In 1906, the family moved from Helena to the Capital P Ranch just south of the Missouri River across from the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. In 1917, he went to Chicago and enrolled at the Chicago Art Institute for a brief three-month period. Upon entering the U. S. Army the following spring, he served with the 62nd Infantry, Eighth Division. In the fall of 1920, he returned to Chicago and entered the Chicago Art Institute again. After his marriage in 1923 to his wife,Willo, they went to the Pacific coast, where for seven years he worked as a commercial artist doing illustrations for books, newspapers, and advertising agencies. They came back to Montana in 1930 to take over his father's ranch, the Roman E, near Culbertson, but the Depression and drought made them leave in 1935. They decided on Billings for his studio, and that began his vocation as a professional artist. His work is in the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis, Missouri, the Custer Battlefield National Monument, and the Montana Historical Society in Helena, Montana. His murals adorn many fine retail and professional locations throughout the country. James Kenneth Ralston died in 1987.

    Charlton Hall
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