Bob Ross Auction Series Continues After Record $318,000 Sale

Bonhams Auction is bringing three original Bob Ross paintings to the block on January 27, 2026, in Marlborough, Massachusetts.

The collection of paintings includes:

• Change of Seasons: Painted in 1990, with an estimated value of $40,000 to $60,000.
• Valley View: Painted in 1990, with an estimated value of $30,000 to $50,000.
• Babbling Brook: Painted in 1993, with an estimated value of $25,000 to $45,000.

These Ross works were originally created for The Joy of Painting, which is still a public-TV staple for a lot of people who grew up with it.

Artnet reported that the sale of these paintings is tied to an American Public Television push to raise money for public broadcasting after funding cuts.

For years, Ross originals were more culturally relevant than high in marketplace value. However, today, the value has spiked, and Ross originals are not affordable for most people anymore.

For example, the Associated Press reported that Ross’s Winter’s Peace sold for $318,000 at Bonhams in November 2025. This flew beyond presale expectations, and it was not alone. Home in the Valley hit $229,100, and Cliffside reached $114,800 in the same event.

The three works totaled a, at the time, shocking $662,000.

More canvases, more cities, more pressure

After the upcoming January sale, more Ross paintings are expected to roll out across 2026 through Bonhams salesrooms. These include auctions in Los Angeles, New York, and the Boston area.

Each sale is expected to help fund American Public Television.

The question now is, how far will Bob Ross originals go? For example, John Oliver’s online benefit auction pushed Ross into seven figures. His Cabin at Sunset (1987) painting cleared $1 million, and that came just weeks after the Bonhams record.

I’ve collected plenty of pop-culture memorabilia, and this Bob Ross run has the feel of a limited-run frenzy, yet this time it’s tied to public television.

What’s driving the price?

Some might say it’s people supporting the public television cause, but the truth is, scarcity is likely a big factor.

Despite Ross creating thousands of works, only a few were ever circulated, with most held by Bob Ross Inc. or sitting in archives.

Therefore, when authentic on-air paintings show up, collectors are treating them as commodities. Throw in pop culture popularity, online followings, and trends among collectors, and it’s a perfect storm for sellers.

Here’s the catch, Bob Ross was never just a painter on TV. AP reported that he turned a 30-minute format into something calming and approachable. He was always a steady presence, and that’s in part why his work still lands with audiences who remember him.

The next auctions end on January 27, 2026. Expect estimates to be smashed and a new record for the three paintings at auction.