Gordon Parks (1912–2006)
What is Gordon Parks’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 138 auction results for Gordon Parks at 18 houses since 2002. Over the last 24 months the median price was $5,588 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,870–$10,000, n=25). The auction record is $114,300 for Segregation Story (2024, Phillips). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Segregation Story, 2012 | Pleasantville, New York: The Gordon Parks Foundation, 2012. Twelve inkjet prints | $114,300 | Phillips | Apr 2024 |
| 2 | Untitled (Shady Grove, Alabama), 1956 | No prints of this image were made during the photographer's lifetime | $57,150 | Sotheby's | Oct 2025 |
| 3 | American Gothic, Washington D.C., 1942, 1912 | Gelatin silver print, printed later | $38,100 | Christie's | Oct 2025 |
| 4 | Untitled (Self-Portrait), 2006 | Ink | $23,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2021 |
| 5 | American Champion, 2014 | Pleasantville, New York: The Gordon Parks Foundation, 2014. Twelve gelatin silver prints | $22,860 | Phillips | Apr 2025 |
| 6 | Left Bank, Paris, 1912 | Credit, title in pencil, date in ink and 'Photography Annual' credit stamps (on the reverse of the flush-mount) | $22,500 | Christie's | Oct 2013 |
| 7 | Emerging Man, circa 1970 | Gelatin silver print | $17,584 | Ader | Nov 2021 |
| 8 | Emerging Man, Harlem, New York, 1952 | Cartes-de-visite | $16,510 | Phillips | Apr 2023 |
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | American Gothic, Washington D.C., 1942 | Cartes-de-visite | $21,420 | Phillips | Oct 2022 |
| 2 | American Gothic, Washington D.C., 1942 | Ink | $18,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2022 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 94 | $5,040 |
| Other | 16 | $4,405 |
| Works on paper | 15 | $4,000 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 103 | $5,000 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 19 | $2,683 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 138 results from 18 houses · How we compute these figures
Gordon Parks is an American artist with 199 auction lots recorded since 2002, median price $4,327. 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 Gordon Parks sold in 2026 for $13,970, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
1 Gordon Parks work is coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Gordon Parks free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Gordon Parks record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Gordon Parks on OpeningBid →What is a Gordon Parks work worth?
Across 137 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Gordon Parks work is $4,327.
The median Gordon Parks photograph sells for $4,327 across 117 lots.
The median Gordon Parks print sells for $4,314 across 14 lots.
The median Gordon Parks painting sells for $900 across 1 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Gordon Parks photographs typically sell for $2,881–$9,375 (the middle half of 94 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Gordon Parks photographs typically sell for $1,000–$4,250 (the middle half of 21 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 | 21 | $4,314† | $114,300 | 66.7% | 2026-10-15 |
| Paintings | 1 | $900 | $900 | — | 2007-02-27 |
| Photography | 135 | $4,327†‡ | $57,150 | 86.7% | 2026-10-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 7 | $23,750 | $114,300 | — | 2025-10-22 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Gordon Parks's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (21 lots) median $4,314 with 66.7% sell-through. Paintings (1 lots) median $900, record $900. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 7 lots) the median is $23,750.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 9 | $4,128–$11,430 | $5,715 | $114,300 |
Photography
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 94 | $2,881–$9,375†‡ | $4,800†‡ | $38,100 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 21 | $1,000–$4,250† | $2,131† | $57,150 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $114,300 |
| Photography | 2025 | $57,150 |
| Photography | 2025 | $38,100 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $13,970 |
| Paintings | 2007 | $900 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Gordon Parks worth?
Across 137 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Gordon Parks work is $4,327. The median Gordon Parks photograph sells for $4,327 across 117 lots. The median Gordon Parks print sells for $4,314 across 14 lots. The median Gordon Parks painting sells for $900 across 1 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Gordon Parks photographs typically sell for $2,881–$9,375 (the middle half of 94 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Gordon Parks photographs typically sell for $1,000–$4,250 (the middle half of 21 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 Gordon Parks photograph?
Based on 117 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Gordon Parks photograph is $4,327. 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 Gordon Parks's most expensive photograph?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Gordon Parks photograph is $57,150.
What is the average price of a Gordon Parks print?
Based on 14 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Gordon Parks print is $4,314. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Gordon Parks's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Gordon Parks print is $114,300.
What is the average price of a small Gordon Parks photograph?
Based on 94 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Gordon Parks photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $4,800, 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 Gordon Parks photograph?
Based on 21 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Gordon Parks photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $2,131, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Gordon Parks's auction record?
Gordon Parks's auction record is $114,300, set in 2024.
See the full Gordon Parks record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Gordon Parks on OpeningBid →