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

# Harry Callahan (1912–1999)

## What is Harry Callahan’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | 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 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 410 | $5,163 |
| Other | 143 | $4,400 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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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, “Harry Callahan auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/harry-callahan (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.