The Florida Highwaymen
American Landscape Painters
1950s–present
Interested in selling a Florida Highwaymen painting?
Original Florida Highwaymen paintings typically bring $2,000–$8,000 at auction (hammer price, before buyer’s premium), and the best examples go much higher. Harold Newton, the group’s leading figure, has reached $45,000. Values vary widely by artist, size, and condition, so knowing who painted yours is the first step. Revere Auctions sells Florida Highwaymen paintings, with Harold Newton results up to $6,000, and we provide free auction estimates if you are thinking of selling.
Who Were the Florida Highwaymen?
The Florida Highwaymen were a group of about 26 African American painters from the Fort Pierce area. Beginning in the 1950s, they painted vivid Florida landscapes: royal poinciana trees, backcountry marshes, moonlit surf. Galleries in the segregated South would not show their work, so they sold their paintings door-to-door and from car trunks along U.S. Highway 1. Harold Newton and Alfred Hair, both mentored by the landscape painter A. E. “Bean” Backus, were the group’s founding talents. The Highwaymen were inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2004, and their work is now collected far beyond Florida.
Florida Highwaymen Values by Artist
| Artist | Median (hammer) | Results (3 yrs) | Top result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harold Newton | $5,800 | 345 | $45,000 |
| Alfred Hair | $3,750 | 81 | $19,000 |
| Mary Ann Carroll | $3,700 | 145 | $12,500 |
| Livingston Roberts | $3,200 | 123 | $8,000 |
| Sam Newton | $2,900 | 573 | $31,000 |
| Roy McLendon | $2,725 | 102 | $16,500 |
| Willie Daniels | $1,900 | 264 | $26,000 |
All prices are hammer prices (before buyer’s premium), from U.S. auction results July 2023–June 2026.
These seven are the most traded names at auction. Other members appear less often, and strong examples by any Highwayman can beat their artist’s median. Mary Ann Carroll was the group’s only woman.
Harold Newton: the Most Valuable Highwayman
Harold Newton (1934–1994) is the group’s most valuable painter, admired for his seascapes and mastery of light on water. His auction record was set in August 2025:
| Price (hammer) | Work | Sold at auction |
|---|---|---|
| $45,000 | Upshore Sunset [Jumbo] | Aug 2025 |
| $39,000 | — | 2023–2025 |
| $37,000 | — | 2023–2025 |
| $36,000 | — | 2023–2025 |
| $35,000 | — | 2023–2025 |
How to Authenticate a Florida Highwaymen Painting
Because originals were produced quickly and sold cheaply, the market now sees many fakes and misattributions. Genuine period pieces tend to show:
- Upson board — most 1950s–60s Highwaymen paintings were done on inexpensive Upson construction board rather than canvas.
- Crown-molding frames — frames were often built from household crown molding, sometimes painted gold or silver.
- Fast, wet-on-wet paint handling — confident, rapid brushwork; labored or hesitant surfaces are a warning sign.
- Plausible age — a “1960s” painting on modern canvas board, or in suspiciously pristine condition, deserves scrutiny.
Signatures vary and are frequently forged, so a signature alone proves little. If you are unsure, send photos for a free specialist review. Our fine art department handles attribution questions like these every week.
The Florida Highwaymen at Revere Auctions
Harold Newton, seascape, sold for $6,000 by Revere Auctions
Revere Auctions has sold Harold Newton paintings at up to $6,000 hammer (median $4,600), reaching bidders far beyond Florida.
Contact our specialists to learn more about the value of your Florida Highwaymen paintings
How to Sell a Florida Highwaymen Painting
The strongest results for Florida Highwaymen paintings come at auction, where national and international collectors bid against each other. Revere Auctions offers free, no-obligation auction estimates: send photos and dimensions and our specialists respond with a current market valuation and a recommendation on how to sell. Consigned works are professionally photographed, cataloged, and marketed through our fine art auctions to a worldwide bidder base, and we regularly arrange shipping for consignors across the country. If you need a formal written valuation for insurance or estate purposes, our appraisal and valuation services team can help; you can also read more about how selling at auction works.
Selling other American landscape or regional paintings? See our guides to G. Harvey, Porfirio Salinas, and Martin Grelle.
Reviewed by the fine art specialists at Revere Auctions, St. Paul, Minnesota.
The Florida Highwaymen: Frequently Asked Questions
How much are Florida Highwaymen paintings worth?
Most original Highwaymen paintings bring $2,000–$8,000 hammer at auction. Artist matters most: Harold Newton’s median is about $5,800 with a record of $45,000, while lesser-traded members often sell for under $3,000.
Which Highwaymen artists are most valuable?
Harold Newton leads the market (median about $5,800; record $45,000), followed by Alfred Hair, Mary Ann Carroll, Livingston Roberts, Sam Newton, and Roy McLendon.
How do I authenticate a Florida Highwaymen painting?
Period pieces are typically on Upson board with crown-molding frames and fast wet-on-wet brushwork. Signatures are often forged, so have a specialist review photos before buying or selling.
Where do I sell a Florida Highwaymen painting?
Auction reaches the national collector base these paintings now command. Revere Auctions offers free estimates and has sold Harold Newton paintings at up to $6,000.
Who were the 26 Florida Highwaymen?
The roster inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2004 comprises Curtis Arnett, Hezekiah Baker, Al Black, Ellis Buckner, George Buckner, Robert Butler, Mary Ann Carroll, Johnny Daniels, Willie Daniels, Rodney Demps, James Gibson, Alfred Hair, Isaac Knight, Robert Lewis, John Maynor, Roy McLendon, Alfonso Moran, Harold Newton, Lemuel Newton, Sam Newton, Livingston Roberts, Willie Reagan, Cornell Smith, Charles Walker, Sylvester Wells, and Charles Wheeler.