> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ellen-carey · updated 2026-11-03

# Ellen Carey (b. 1952)

## What is Ellen Carey’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 21 auction results for Ellen Carey at 5 houses since 1999. Over the last 24 months the median price was $950 including buyer’s premium (middle half $750–$1,683, n=19). The auction record is $3,500 for Painted Black & White Self Portrait Series (2026, Cottone Auctions). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Painted Black & White Self Portrait Series, 1978 | Gelatin silver print | $3,500 | Cottone Auctions | Mar 2026 |
| 2 | Pulls (CMY), 1997 | Ink | $3,048 | Rago Arts | Jun 2025 |
| 3 | Pulls (CMY), 1997 | Unique large-format Polaroid Polacolor print composite | $2,400 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Jun 2025 |
| 4 | Pulls (CMY), 1997 | — | $2,400 | Wright | Jun 2025 |
| 5 | Untitled (Polaroid Polacolor print), 1985 | Ink | $2,159 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Jul 2025 |
| 6 | Untitled (Polaroid Polacolor print), 1987 | Ink | $1,207 | Rago Arts | Jun 2025 |
| 7 | Untitled (polaroid polacolor prints in four parts), 1991 | Ink | $1,207 | Rago Arts | Jun 2025 |
| 8 | Penlights & Movies, 2007 | Unique large-format Polaroid Polacolor print | $1,088 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Jul 2026 |
| 9 | Three Circles, 1981 | Cartes-de-visite | $1,008 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Aug 2023 |
| 10 | Untitled (triptych), 1991 | Ink | $953 | Rago Arts | Jun 2025 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 7 | $1,008 |
| Other | 10 | $950 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 8 | $1,048 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 21 results from 5 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Ellen Carey is an American artist with 28 auction lots recorded since 1999, median price $950.

A work by Ellen Carey sold in 2026 for $1,088, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Ellen Carey work worth?

Across 21 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ellen Carey work is $950.

The median Ellen Carey photograph sells for $1,008 across 5 lots.

The median Ellen Carey work on paper sells for $1,207 across 6 lots.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 6 | $1,207 | $3,048 | — | 2025-07-31 |
| Photography | 9 | $1,008 | $3,500 | 55.6% | 2026-07-30 |

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $953–$1,207 | $1,207 | $2,159 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2026 | $3,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $3,048 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $2,159 |
| Photography | 2026 | $1,088 |

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 Ellen Carey worth?

Across 21 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ellen Carey work is $950. The median Ellen Carey photograph sells for $1,008 across 5 lots. The median Ellen Carey work on paper sells for $1,207 across 6 lots.

### What is Ellen Carey's auction record?

Ellen Carey's auction record is $3,500, set in 2026.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Ellen Carey auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ellen-carey (updated 2026-11-03).

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.