Harry Callahan (1912–1999)
What is Harry Callahan’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 604 auction results for Harry Callahan at 26 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,816 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,913–$6,985, n=57). The auction record is $80,632 for Detroit, 1943 (2007, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit, 1943, 1912 | Cartes-de-visite | $80,632 | Christie's | Nov 2007 |
| 2 | Eleanor/Silhouette (Chicago), 1948 | Cartes-de-visite | $76,200 | Phillips | Apr 2024 |
| 3 | Camera Movement on Flashlight, 1912 | Cartes-de-visite | $66,000 | Christie's | Apr 2007 |
| 4 | 'detroit' | — | $60,000 | Sotheby's | Oct 2008 |
| 5 | chicago (brick wall with four windows) | — | $58,600 | Sotheby's | Apr 2008 |
| 6 | 'chicago' (trees in snow) | Mounted, signed by the photographer in pencil on the mount, matted, 1950, probably printed in the 1960s (El Mochuelo, pl. 10; MoMA, p. 65 and rear cover; Callahan, p. 23; Elemental Landscapes, pl. 4; Photographer at Work, pl. 21) | $53,800 | Sotheby's | Apr 2008 |
| 7 | Alley, Chicago | Cartes-de-visite | $50,000 | Phillips | Apr 2017 |
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago, 1958, 1912 | Cartes-de-visite | $66,000 | Christie's | Apr 2007 |
| 2 | Wall, Chicago, 1957, 1912 | Signé et numéroté à l'encre (au dos du montage); étiquette pour l'exposition itinérante 'Abstract Photography' 1957-1958 organisée par The American Federation of Arts (collé sur le support secondaire) | $53,256 | Christie's | Nov 2005 |
| 3 | Eleanor, 1952 | Cartes-de-visite | $47,880 | Sotheby's | Oct 2021 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 410 | $5,163 |
| Other | 143 | $4,400 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 470 | $5,000 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 604 results from 26 houses · How we compute these figures
Harry Callahan is an American artist with 914 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $4,800. 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 Harry Callahan sold in 2026 for $19,050, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Harry Callahan record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Harry Callahan on OpeningBid →What is a Harry Callahan work worth?
Across 603 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Harry Callahan work is $4,800.
The median Harry Callahan photograph sells for $4,769 across 514 lots.
The median Harry Callahan print sells for $3,200 across 30 lots.
The median Harry Callahan work on paper sells for $3,180 across 14 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Harry Callahan photographs typically sell for $2,800–$8,125 (the middle half of 457 sold lots).
Small (under 50 cm) Harry Callahan prints typically sell for $2,588–$6,250 (the middle half of 28 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 | 35 | $3,200 | $16,250 | 85.7% | 2026-10-15 |
| Works on Paper | 18 | $3,180 | $9,375 | 77.8% | 2018-06-01 |
| Photography | 665 | $4,769†‡ | $80,632 | 77.3% | 2026-10-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 30 | $42,775 | $80,632 | — | 2025-10-21 |
† 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) | 28 | $2,588–$6,250 | $3,200 | $16,250 |
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 14 | $2,212–$3,712 | $3,180 | $9,375 |
Photography
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 457 | $2,800–$8,125†‡ | $5,000†‡ | $80,632 |
† 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 | 2007 | $80,632 |
| Photography | 2024 | $76,200 |
| Prints & Editions | 2009 | $16,250 |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $16,250 |
| Works on Paper | 2013 | $9,375 |
| Works on Paper | 2009 | $6,250 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Harry Callahan worth?
Across 603 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Harry Callahan work is $4,800. The median Harry Callahan photograph sells for $4,769 across 514 lots. The median Harry Callahan print sells for $3,200 across 30 lots. The median Harry Callahan work on paper sells for $3,180 across 14 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Harry Callahan photographs typically sell for $2,800–$8,125 (the middle half of 457 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Harry Callahan prints typically sell for $2,588–$6,250 (the middle half of 28 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 Harry Callahan photograph?
Based on 514 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Harry Callahan photograph is $4,769. 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 Harry Callahan's most expensive photograph?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Harry Callahan photograph is $80,632.
What is the average price of a Harry Callahan print?
Based on 30 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Harry Callahan print is $3,200.
What is Harry Callahan's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Harry Callahan print is $16,250.
What is the average price of a Harry Callahan work on paper?
Based on 14 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Harry Callahan work on paper is $3,180.
What is Harry Callahan's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Harry Callahan work on paper is $9,375.
What is the average price of a small Harry Callahan photograph?
Based on 457 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Harry Callahan photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $5,000, 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 small Harry Callahan print?
Based on 28 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Harry Callahan print (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,200, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is Harry Callahan's auction record?
Harry Callahan's auction record is $80,632, set in 2007.
See the full Harry Callahan record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Harry Callahan on OpeningBid →