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

# Elliott Erwitt (1928–2023)

## What is Elliott Erwitt’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 673 auction results for Elliott Erwitt at 44 houses since 1991. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,764 including buyer’s premium (middle half $923–$3,770, n=127). The auction record is $36,120 for California Kiss (2026, Phillips). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California Kiss | Platinum-palladium print, printed later | $36,120 | Phillips | Oct 2026 |
| 2 | Untitled (Notebook), 1928 | Gelatin silver prints | $24,000 | Christie's | Apr 2007 |
| 3 | Wyoming | Cartes-de-visite | $20,815 | Phillips | Nov 2015 |
| 4 | bust portrait by Elliott Erwitt, showing Eisenhower laughing while Kennedy smiles, circa 1960 | Photograph and mat | $20,320 | Swann Auction Galleries | May 2026 |
| 5 | Paris | Cartes-de-visite | $20,000 | Phillips | Oct 2014 |
| 6 | Saint-Tropez, France, 1959, 1928 | GELATIN SILVER PRINT, PRINTED LATER | $18,857 | Christie's | Nov 2023 |
| 7 | Maquette for a limited edition book, 1950s | 30 gelatin silver prints, the majority mounted back to back in a 4to. spiral notebook | $18,750 | Christie's | Apr 2010 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York City, 1974, 2011 | Platinum print, printed 2011 | $18,750 | Christie's | Sep 2020 |
| 2 | New York City, 1974, 1928 | Platinum print | $18,750 | Christie's | Feb 2004 |
| 3 | California Kiss, 1928 | Gelatin silver print | $16,664 | Christie's | Nov 2019 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 11 | $5,250 |
| Photographs | 492 | $3,595 |
| Other | 34 | $1,800 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 124 | $6,058 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 374 | $3,242 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 673 results from 44 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Elliott Erwitt is an American artist with 995 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $3,250. 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 Elliott Erwitt sold in 2026 for $36,120, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Elliott Erwitt work worth?

Across 672 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Elliott Erwitt work is $3,250.

The median Elliott Erwitt photograph sells for $3,187 across 587 lots.

The median Elliott Erwitt print sells for $1,691 across 7 lots.

The median Elliott Erwitt work on paper sells for $2,954 across 6 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Elliott Erwitt photographs typically sell for $1,276–$4,996 (the middle half of 428 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Elliott Erwitt photographs typically sell for $2,482–$8,614 (the middle half of 128 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 | 8 | $1,691 | $36,120 | 87.5% | 2026-10-08 |
| Works on Paper | 6 | $2,954 | $11,093 | — | 2025-06-10 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 3 | $13,970 | $13,970 | — | 2023-10-11 |
| Photography | 766 | $3,187†‡ | $56,382 | 76.6% | 2026-10-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 34 | $16,424 | $56,382 | — | 2026-10-08 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $1,531–$2,579 | $1,636 | $3,234 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $953–$3,004 | $2,904 | $3,204 |

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 428 | $1,276–$4,996†‡ | $2,988†‡ | $26,177 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 128 | $2,482–$8,614†‡ | $5,064†‡ | $56,382 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2012 | $56,382 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $36,120 |
| Photography | 2014 | $33,195 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2023 | $13,970 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2023 | $13,970 |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $11,093 |
| Prints & Editions | 2020 | $3,234 |
| Works on Paper | 2011 | $3,204 |

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 Elliott Erwitt worth?

Across 672 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Elliott Erwitt work is $3,250. The median Elliott Erwitt photograph sells for $3,187 across 587 lots. The median Elliott Erwitt print sells for $1,691 across 7 lots. The median Elliott Erwitt work on paper sells for $2,954 across 6 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Elliott Erwitt photographs typically sell for $1,276–$4,996 (the middle half of 428 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Elliott Erwitt photographs typically sell for $2,482–$8,614 (the middle half of 128 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 Elliott Erwitt photograph?

Based on 587 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Elliott Erwitt photograph is $3,187. 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 Elliott Erwitt's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Elliott Erwitt photograph is $56,382.

### What is the average price of a small Elliott Erwitt photograph?

Based on 428 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Elliott Erwitt photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,988, 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 Elliott Erwitt photograph?

Based on 128 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Elliott Erwitt photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $5,064, 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 Elliott Erwitt's auction record?

Elliott Erwitt's auction record is $56,382, set in 2012.

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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, “Elliott Erwitt auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/elliott-erwitt (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.