> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/al-hirschfeld · updated 2026-11-02

# Al Hirschfeld (1903–2003)

## What is Al Hirschfeld’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 235 auction results for Al Hirschfeld at 26 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,385 including buyer’s premium (middle half $498–$1,916, n=10). The auction record is $70,000 for A Backstage Warning--Country Theater, Suffern (2008, Swann Auction Galleries). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

**Top auction records: paintings, drawings & sculpture**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Backstage Warning--Country Theater, Suffern, 1938 | Pen and ink on illustration board | $70,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jun 2008 |
| 2 | Paul Robeson as Othello, 1942 | Ink and masking fluid on board | $68,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jun 2019 |
| 3 | Cabin in the Sky., 1940 | Ink and correction fluid on board | $32,500 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jun 2018 |
| 4 | Dame Edna, 1903 | Pencil, pen and black ink, on artist’s board | $26,713 | Christie's | Feb 2025 |
| 5 | The Marx Brothers. | Pen and ink on board | $26,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Dec 2018 |
| 6 | The Merry Widow., 1943 | Pen and ink on board | $20,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jun 2019 |
| 7 | George Gershwin, 1973 | Ink on board | $13,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jul 2020 |
| 8 | Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in "Private Lives.", 1983 | Pen | $12,500 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jun 2021 |
| 9 | The Counter Culture at Zabar's, 1971 | Pen and ink on illustration board | $11,400 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jan 2013 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sweeney Todd, 1979 | Pen and ink on board with graphite sketching | $40,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jun 2022 |

**Median price by medium (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 79 | $4,000 |
| Other | 9 | $3,600 |
| Prints | 104 | $850 |

**Median price by size (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 98 | $2,520 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 79 | $1,080 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 235 results from 26 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Al Hirschfeld is an American artist with 317 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $1,270. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Al Hirschfeld sold in 2026 for $1,500, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 Al Hirschfeld work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Al Hirschfeld on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/al-hirschfeld?ref=kg:al-hirschfeld) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Al Hirschfeld work worth?

Across 225 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Al Hirschfeld work is $1,270.

The median Al Hirschfeld print sells for $734 across 134 lots.

The median Al Hirschfeld work on paper sells for $4,080 across 83 lots.

The median Al Hirschfeld painting sells for $6,438 across 2 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Al Hirschfeld prints typically sell for $400–$974 (the middle half of 67 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Al Hirschfeld work on papers typically sell for $2,860–$7,962 (the middle half of 59 sold lots).

Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 145 | $734†‡ | $8,250† | 92.4% | 2026-09-10 |
| Paintings | 2 | $6,438 | $8,125 | — | 2022-06-15 |
| Works on Paper | 84 | $4,080 | $70,000 | — | 2026-05-03 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 12 | $23,000 | $70,000 | — | 2025-02-13 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

Al Hirschfeld's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (145 lots) median $734 with 92.4% sell-through. Paintings (2 lots) median $6,438, record $8,125. A typical Al Hirschfeld painting sells for around 8.8× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 12 lots) the median is $23,000.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 67 | $400–$974†‡ | $600†‡ | $3,200 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 52 | $443–$1,104†‡ | $734†‡ | $8,250† |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 24 | $2,000–$6,000 | $2,940 | $13,750 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 59 | $2,860–$7,962 | $4,320 | $70,000 |

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2008 | $70,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2019 | $68,750 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $8,250† |
| Paintings | 2022 | $8,125 |
| Paintings | 2022 | $4,750 |
| Prints & Editions | 2002 | $3,600 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

The highest recorded result in each medium. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Al Hirschfeld worth?

Across 225 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Al Hirschfeld work is $1,270. The median Al Hirschfeld print sells for $734 across 134 lots. The median Al Hirschfeld work on paper sells for $4,080 across 83 lots. The median Al Hirschfeld painting sells for $6,438 across 2 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Al Hirschfeld prints typically sell for $400–$974 (the middle half of 67 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Al Hirschfeld work on papers typically sell for $2,860–$7,962 (the middle half of 59 sold lots). Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is the average price of a Al Hirschfeld print?

Based on 134 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Al Hirschfeld print is $734. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is Al Hirschfeld's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Al Hirschfeld print is $8,250. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $8,250 (buyer's premium not included).

### What is the average price of a Al Hirschfeld work on paper?

Based on 83 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Al Hirschfeld work on paper is $4,080.

### What is Al Hirschfeld's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Al Hirschfeld work on paper is $70,000.

### What is the average price of a small Al Hirschfeld print?

Based on 67 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Al Hirschfeld print (small (under 50 cm)) is $600, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is the average price of a medium Al Hirschfeld work on paper?

Based on 59 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Al Hirschfeld work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $4,320, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Al Hirschfeld's auction record?

Al Hirschfeld's auction record is $70,000, set in 2008.

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Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Al Hirschfeld auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/al-hirschfeld (updated 2026-11-02).

Historical auction data, not investment advice. Prices are premium-inclusive USD where the buyer's premium is recorded. Figures marked † are hammer prices (buyer's premium not included); ‡ marks a price whose basis is not yet verified. Non-USD results are converted at the sale month's rate.