The market is real, active, and well documented, but it is also one of the most ethically questionable areas of the collectibles world and every buyer should be aware of the problems of authentication and the moral implications that come with the purchase of a John Wayne Gacy painting.
Key Takeaways
- In 14 years on death row at Menard Correctional Center in Illinois, John Wayne Gacy created over 2,000 paintings, the majority of which featured clowns, skulls, Disney characters, landscapes and portraits of other infamous figures.
- For standard pieces, Gacy paintings go for sale at auction ranging from $195 to $10,000. Some sources estimate that his rare or iconic works, such as his self-portraits as Pogo the Clown, can be sold privately for $50,000 or more.
- The current auction record is $10,000 for a 1985 oil on canvas board of Pogo the Clown, sold on Halloween, 2022 at Material Culture.
- Active and recent sales have been listed on Invaluable, Kraft Auction Service, Material Culture, Mullock’s Auctioneers, Bidsquare and Alexander Historical Auctions.
- This is a known market of forgeries. Before purchasing, there is a need for authentication and documentation of the provenance.
- The sale of Gacy art falls into a class of work called “murderabilia,” coined in 1999 by victims advocate Andy Kahan, that sees an estimated $250,000 worth of sales annually.
- Joseph Roth and Walter Knoebel, businessmen, bought over $10,000 in Gacy’s art, and publicly burned it shortly after his execution in May 1994 in Naperville, Illinois. Victims’ family members attended. The bonfire didn’t stop the market.
- Gacy signed his prison paintings with two names, his own, John W. Gacy, and the name of his alter-ego, Emmit.
Who was John Wayne Gacy?
John Wayne Gacy Jr. (March 17, 1942 – July 1, 1994) was an American serial killer who raped and murdered 33 teenage boys and young men between 1972 and 1978, and was nicknamed the Killer Clown.
Gacy was a precinct captain for the Democratic Party in the Chicago suburbs and a contractor, and he had met and been photographed with First Lady Rosalynn Carter in 1978, just a year before his arrest, as the “Killer Clown.
He was convicted of 33 murders, sexual assault and taking indecent liberties with a child. In May 1994, he was sentenced to death and executed by lethal injection with his last words reportedly being “Kiss my ass.
Since his execution, the paintings he created while awaiting his trials have been in circulation on the collectibles market, and have not only brought auction prices but have also sparked public debate.
Gacy’s Prison Art: How It Began and What He Made
In 1980, Gacy reinvented himself as an artist when he was imprisoned in Menard Correctional Center for the murder of 33 men, churning out more than 2,000 paintings during his 14 years on death row. He developed an interest in painting after being given an art set to use while incarcerated.
In addition to these genres, he created self-portraits as “Pogo the Clown”, portraits of other infamous characters, such as Charles Manson and Ed Gein, religious works, and skull paintings, all of which were extremely controversial for the ethics of collecting and selling such works.
His works had a naive, crude folk-art quality to them; they are instantly recognisable, even after seeing just a few pieces. Art critics and psychologists who have examined the body of work have described it variously as outsider art, art brut, and as direct expression of a disordered psychology. His most widely known work is dominated by the clown theme, which is clearly autobiographical, and has been a subject of interest to collectors and researchers alike.
After Gacy’s execution many of his paintings were auctioned. That original sale by autograph dealer Steve Koschal set the stage for the market as it is today, with prices ranging from $195 for an acrylic painting of a bird to $9,500 for dwarfs playing.
Gacy signed his prison paintings using two names: John W. Gacy and the pseudonym Emmit. Both names are found on authenticated works and knowledge of which name is used on a specific piece is a part of the authentication process.
John Wayne Gacy Painting Price Guide: Auction Results Documented
The following table shows actual auction sale results from verified auction houses. Unless otherwise stated, all prices are hammer prices (before buyer’s premium).
| Work | Sale Date | House | Realised Price |
| Pogo the Clown (1985, oil on canvas board) | October 31, 2022 | Material Culture / Live Auctioneers | $10,000 |
| Hi Ho The Winter (oil on canvas board) | November 18, 2024 | Material Culture | Not disclosed |
| 7 Dwarves (oil on canvas board) | April 29, 2024 | Material Culture | Not disclosed |
| Pogo the Clown (1986) | May 11, 2017 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Jimmy Durante Sketch | June 15, 2016 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Jesus with Crown of Thorns | June 15, 2016 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Skull Clown (oil on panel, 1992) | March 1, 2025 | Kraft Auction Service | Est. $612 to $857 |
| Clown with green hair (watercolour/marker) | March 1, 2025 | Kraft Auction Service | Est. $400 to $700 |
| Multi-media clown painting | March 1, 2025 | Kraft Auction Service | Est. $400 to $700 |
| Various works (19 pieces, Steve Koschal) | Post-1994 | Private sale | $195 to $9,500 |
The highest price for Gacy’s work at auction is $10,000 for Pogo the Clown, which was sold in 2022 at Material Culture. His paintings have been auctioned several times with values reaching as high as $10,000 and his works on paper as high as $5,500.
It is important to note that there are no public auction records to substantiate estimates of rare or iconic works selling for $50,000 or more in private sales, but such reports have appeared in trade publications. The recorded public auction ceiling is $10,000 through mid-2026.
John Wayne Gacy’s Artwork is on sale
Invaluable
Invaluable is the most comprehensive Gacy auction results and upcoming lots aggregator. Invaluable offers biographical data, upcoming artworks at auction, and sale prices from its price archives, making it a useful research tool for any prospective buyer.
Kraft Auction Service
Kraft Auction Service in Tennessee has auctioned several Gacy lots in 2024 and 2025, such as oil on panel, watercolour and mixed-media pieces. They sold at least three Gacy pieces in March 2025.
Material Culture
Material Culture in Philadelphia, which operates through Live Auctioneers, sold Gacy’s Pogo the Clown for a record $10,000 in October 2022 and has since sold the Hi Ho The Winter and 7 Dwarves through Live Auctioneers in 2024.
Alexander Historical Auctions
Alexander Historical Auctions in Stamford, Connecticut, is one of the more established companies that deal in historical autographs, manuscripts and other historical art, including the work of infamous figures. Some of their estimated values for his works have been documented at $400 to $700 for smaller works.
Mullock’s Auctioneers
Mullock’s Auctioneers in Shropshire, England, have dealt in Gacy paintings that have been discovered in the United Kingdom, such as a group of paintings that were unearthed in a cupboard at a house in the West Midlands after the deaths of its owners. This case is a good example of how Gacy’s paintings have found their way into private collections in various nations in the years since his 1994 execution and how they continue to appear in surprising places decades later.
Bidsquare
There has been a recent surge in interest in these pieces in the market as authenticated pieces have emerged through one of the biggest online auction sites, Bidsquare.
Authentication: How to Know If a Gacy Painting Is Real
Documentation is less developed in the murderabilia market than in the more traditional fine art market, as there are no formal standards for documentation and the original chain of custody is often missing or poorly documented.
Signature Verification
Gacy signed his paintings with his own name, John W. Gacy, and under the name Emmit. Both signatures have been studied and compared to known authenticated signatures. A signature is not enough proof; it has to be consistent in style and context with works of proven provenance.
Provenance Documentation
The most reliable works are those that have a documented chain of ownership that goes back to the original source, usually Gacy’s attorney who sold work shortly before and after the execution, or Steve Koschal, the autograph dealer who was the first to sell nineteen pieces after the 1994 execution. Works that have been passed through established auction houses with a documented record of ownership have greater credibility than those that do not have a clear ownership history.
Physical Characteristics
Gacy’s work was done mostly in oils on canvas board, and his typical size of painting was 10 by 14 inches to 16 by 20 inches. He also created paper works in watercolour, pencil, crayon and marker. The materials that he used in Menard Correctional Center are known and a piece of art that is claimed to be prison art, but is composed of materials or supports that are inconsistent with his documented practice, should be examined.
One authenticated piece from the Kraft Auction Service March 2025 sale had a handwritten note on the reverse side that reads: “I hope you enjoy the painting as much as I enjoyed doing it for you, Best wishes, John W Gacy May, 1992. This kind of personal inscription, coupled with handwriting analysis, when compared to known authenticated samples, adds to the strength of the provenance.
Forgeries
The demand for Gacy’s paintings is high, and the formal authentication infrastructure is limited in comparison to that of the mainstream art market, making black market trading of his clown portraits a much more risky proposition than trading in the art market.
All of the rules for authenticating any original artwork are applicable here. The Shani Levni guide to evaluating the value, analysis, and interpretation of artwork applies to a Gacy oil on canvas board, as well as any other original artwork. Likewise, knowing what a certificate of authenticity for artwork should look like, who issues it, and what it actually verifies is directly applicable to any claimed certificate of authenticity in the murderabilia realm where the terminology is not always used in a rigorous manner.
What is the Murderabilia Market and How Does It Work?
The murderabilia market was coined in 1999 by victims advocate Andy Kahan, who worked for the Houston Mayor’s Crime Victims Office, and is estimated to be worth a $250,000 a year, although this has been challenged.
Murderabilia is not just paintings and drawings, it’s autographs, personal letters, clothing and more. Gacy is the most prominent single name in the market because of the amount of paintings he created, and because of the cultural impact he made as the Killer Clown.
Guitarist Dave Navarro says he owns some of Gacy’s pieces, including one that was allegedly given to him by Marilyn Manson. The continued interest in Gacy’s paintings has been fostered by the ways in which Gacy has been used in popular culture contexts, rather than just in opposition to mainstream cultural production, in his Pogo self-portraits from 1994, for example, on the cover of the debut album of the band Metal Band.
The market stretches from a fully documented auction house sale to an informal sale between collectors where provenance is not a consideration. The latter is the only channel in which there is any meaningful protection for the buyer.
The ethics of buying John Wayne Gacy artwork
It is not something that can be skirted around in any fair consideration of the market and should be addressed directly and not be dismissed at the periphery of the article.
The Victims and Their Families
Some art was burned by approximately 300 people at the Naperville, Illinois, offices of James Quick Auctioneers in the summer of 1994. Most of the 20 paintings burned were original works of the serial killer John Wayne Gacy, and for most people at the time, these were not fine art, they were talismans of an evil that had to be destroyed.
There were 100 people present, including relatives of seven of Gacy’s victims. Many in the crowd cheered and chanted as the fire was lighted. The burning of the art was the brainchild of two local men, Joseph Roth and Walter Knoebel, who spent over $10,000 on artwork, two figurines and other Gacy memorabilia at an auction in May 1994.
The families of Gacy’s victims have destroyed many of the original paintings from his time as a painter, as the bonfire has been described by those who participated in it as a necessary act of closure a direct response to the notion that Gacy’s painting should be presented to the cultural record on terms as close to “normal” as possible.
The Legal Framework
New York was the first state to make a statement against serial killers profiting from writings or shows about their crimes in 1977. This Son of Sam law specifically targeted serial killer David Berkowitz, who was rumoured to be trying to sell the rights to his story. While 45 states now have some form of Son of Sam laws, the Supreme Court in fact declared the original law unconstitutional.
Since Gacy is dead, questions of whether proceeds will go directly to him are academic. However, the larger issue of how the commercial exploitation of his work impacts on the remaining family members of his victims has not been addressed by legislation and is still unresolved.
The Collector Perspective
Those who buy Gacy’s work give a variety of reasons. Some see it as historical documentation, a forensic artefact with evidential value as to the psychology of a particular person. There are some that believe that criminal art is part of the outsider art tradition. Others are true crime collectors and the Gacy paintings are part of their interest in criminal history.
The existence of this artwork has sparked discussion on the role of art in rehabilitation, the ethics of selling items connected to violent crimes, the dark tourism/art collection connection and the rights of victims’ families, despite the free market principles.
None of these arguments settles the question. They are fighting over a contested space and the truth is that reasonable people disagree, even among those who have taken the issue seriously and those who have an interest in the outcome.
A Note on Contrast
It’s important to remember, without creating an equivalence, that the market for Gacy’s work is the most distant from the market of original works by artists whose reputations are built on creativity and encouragement. The Shani Levni guide to Bob Ross paintings for sale is based on a completely different principle: painting is meant to be shared, it’s about creativity, and the person who created it was a person who was always encouraging others to be creative. The two markets are made up of original paintings on canvas board by American artists who worked in limited environments. The comparison is instructive because it illustrates the extent to which the meaning of a painted object relies on all that it is not.
The Art World’s Response to Gacy’s Art
The exhibit was supposed to benefit the National Center for Victims of Crime and numerous key galleries and museums have featured his work in the past, including pieces showing Charles Manson and Elvis that were being sold for $2,000 to $12,000. But the group said they were not interested in their charity, and issued a cease-and-desist letter to the gallery.
The approach to the institutional display question, which avoids the gallery legitimisation problem, is how the work is presented at the Museum of Death, Los Angeles, where it is explicitly stated that it is an artefact of criminal history rather than fine art.
Gacy’s work is featured in mainstream publications such as the Observer and BmoreArt. It is in the auction record, which is tracked by Artnet, Invaluable, askART and MutualArt, and that is the formal way that the art world recognises an artist, whether it is earned or not.
Practical Considerations for Buyers
Everyone who has ever touched the Gacy market ought to keep a few practical disciplines in mind, whether they are a part of the larger ethical debate.
Purchase from reputable auction houses. The major platforms (Invaluable, Live Auctioneers, Bidsquare, Material Culture, Kraft Auction Service, Alexander Historical Auctions) offer catalogued lots with pre-sale condition reports, documented provenance, and a transaction record. These protections are not provided by private sales or informal trades.
Ask for any available provenance documents. Request a full ownership history, all letters from Gacy to the original buyer, any records of exhibitions and previous auctions. A work that has no documentation that goes back further than the seller’s possession has a significantly greater risk of being fake.
Understand the signature. Gacy signed his works as both John W. Gacy and Emmit. Both have been verified on authentic sources. If it is a different piece or the signature is not the same in character as authenticated comparable pieces, it should be approached with caution.
Include buyer’s premium. The auction hammer price is not the total price paid by the buyer, as the buyer’s premium is usually between 15% to 25% depending on the house. A $10,000 hammer price translates to $11,500 to $12,500 all-in before taxes and shipping.
Understand that there is not a large resale market. Gacy paintings are not like other collectible art – they don’t have a liquid resale market. Few will pay the documented price, and patience and the right auction context may be necessary for future sales. Avoid buying with the expectation of appreciation in the short term.
Conclusion
In 2025 and 2026, John Wayne Gacy paintings and drawings will be offered at auction, with minor works selling for several hundred dollars and the most popular oil on canvas board paintings in his Pogo the Clown series selling for as much as $10,000. In most jurisdictions, the market is real, active, and not legally impeded.
The market is not, and never will be, ethically simple, and nothing an auction house can do can make it so. Gacy murdered 33 people. His paintings have been selling for ever increasing prices for 30 years, the families of those people have watched. Some of them burned his work openly in the hope that if they destroyed the objects, the market would be restricted. It did not.
Whether you view the ethics as good or bad, the advice for any buyer remains the same: only buy from reputable auction houses, require documentation of provenance, compare and contrast with authenticated pieces and never buy on speculation. There is a lack of market, limited authentication systems, and actual ownership concerns.
For more guides on art valuation, authentication, and the collectibles market in general, visit the Shani Levni library.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are John Wayne Gacy paintings worth?
Auction prices for John Wayne Gacy paintings vary from $195 for his smaller works on paper to $10,000 for his larger oil on canvas board works in his most familiar styles, which are largely Pogo the Clown. The number of iconic works sold for $50,000 or more is estimated by some sources, but has not been confirmed in public auction records. Current verified auction record is $10,000 from Material Culture in October 2022.
Where can I buy John Wayne Gacy artwork?
John Wayne Gacy paintings are sold at auction by Invaluable, Kraft Auction Service, Material Culture, Alexander Historical Auctions, Bidsquare and Mullock’s Auctioneers in the United Kingdom. To avoid forgeries and only purchase work with provenances, it’s best to go through an auction house that has a proven catalogue.
Was John Wayne Gacy’s name on his paintings?
Yes. Gacy signed his prison paintings using two names: John W. Gacy and the name “Emmit. All authenticated works have both signatures. One part of the authentication process is the signature analysis against authenticated comparables.
Is it legal to sell and purchase John Wayne Gacy paintings?
Yes. Gacy’s paintings are legal to sell in the USA. Some form of a Son of Sam law exists in 45 states aimed at stopping criminals profiting off the accounts of their crimes. Gacy is dead and the paintings are art and not evidence of his crimes, so in most jurisdictions, these laws are not applicable. Purchasers are advised to check the legal situation in their own state or country.
How many paintings did John Wayne Gacy make?
While serving 14 years on death row at Menard Correctional Center in Chester, Illinois, between 1980 and his execution in May 1994, Gacy created over 2,000 paintings. The mediums range from oils on canvas board, watercolours, pencil and marker drawings, to mixed media.
After his execution, what happened to Gacy’s paintings?
Some were auctioned off just before and after his 1994 execution, the first being by autograph dealer Steve Koschal. In June 1994, Joseph Roth and Walter Knoebel, two businessmen, bought over $10,000 worth of Gacy’s paintings, intending to destroy them; they burned about two dozen paintings at a public bonfire attended by family members of the victims and about 300 members of the public in Naperville, Illinois. The market was not destroyed by the bonfire. In 2025 and 2026, established auction houses continue to bring to light works that have been recently discovered.
Should John Wayne Gacy art be purchased?
This is a question that is hotly debated and has no clear-cut answer. Andy Kahan, the one who coined the term murderabilia, and other victims’ rights activists say the trading of such items validates crime and inflicts additional suffering on the families of the victims. The work has been the subject of collectors’ and some art historians’ interest for historical and psychological documentation value. The families of Gacy’s victims have not been united in their opinion on the issue. It is up to each buyer to make his/her own decision about these conflicting claims.