Helen Levitt (1913–2009)
What is Helen Levitt’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 302 auction results for Helen Levitt at 16 houses since 1994. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,328 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,197–$5,598, n=47). The auction record is $60,733 for New York (2007, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, 1918 | Cartes-de-visite | $60,733 | Christie's | Nov 2007 |
| 2 | New York, c. 1938, 1950 | Cartes-de-visite | $51,400 | Christie's | Oct 2007 |
| 3 | N. Y. (Two Children – One with Handkerchief), 1980 | Cartes-de-visite | $47,880 | Sotheby's | Dec 2020 |
| 4 | N.Y.C. | Cartes-de-visite | $37,500 | Phillips | Apr 2013 |
| 5 | New York City, 1955 | Cartes-de-visite | $33,020 | Sotheby's | May 2023 |
| 6 | 'gypsy, e. harlem, n. y.' | — | $32,200 | Sotheby's | Apr 2008 |
| 7 | 'New York', 1980 | — | $26,704 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |
| 8 | Boy with Gun, 1942 | Cartes-de-visite | $25,000 | Phillips | Apr 2019 |
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, 1942 | Gelatin silver print. Circa 1942. Signed, titled and dated in pencil on the verso | $25,850 | Christie's | Oct 2000 |
| 2 | New York (Foreign Legion), 1940 | Pencil | $25,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2022 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 234 | $5,000 |
| Other | 62 | $4,775 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 284 | $5,000 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 302 results from 16 houses · How we compute these figures
Helen Levitt is an American artist with 379 auction lots recorded since 1994, median price $4,826. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.
A work by Helen Levitt sold in 2026 for $5,026, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Helen Levitt record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Helen Levitt on OpeningBid →What is a Helen Levitt work worth?
Across 300 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Helen Levitt work is $4,826.
The median Helen Levitt photograph sells for $4,883 across 291 lots.
The median Helen Levitt print sells for $5,598 across 6 lots.
The median Helen Levitt work on paper sells for $4,064 across 1 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Helen Levitt photographs typically sell for $3,262–$7,545 (the middle half of 282 sold lots).
Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 8 | $5,598 | $20,160 | 75% | 2026-09-24 |
| Works on Paper | 1 | $4,064 | $4,064 | — | 2025-10-21 |
| Photography | 338 | $4,883‡ | $60,733 | 86.1% | 2026-07-14 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 17 | $25,000 | $60,733 | — | 2025-07-17 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Price by size
Photography
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 282 | $3,262–$7,545‡ | $5,000‡ | $60,733 |
‡ 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 | $60,733 |
| Photography | 2007 | $51,400 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $20,160 |
| Prints & Editions | 2008 | $9,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $4,064 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Helen Levitt worth?
Across 300 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Helen Levitt work is $4,826. The median Helen Levitt photograph sells for $4,883 across 291 lots. The median Helen Levitt print sells for $5,598 across 6 lots. The median Helen Levitt work on paper sells for $4,064 across 1 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Helen Levitt photographs typically sell for $3,262–$7,545 (the middle half of 282 sold lots). Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is the average price of a Helen Levitt photograph?
Based on 291 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Helen Levitt photograph is $4,883. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Helen Levitt's most expensive photograph?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Helen Levitt photograph is $60,733.
What is the average price of a small Helen Levitt photograph?
Based on 282 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Helen Levitt photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $5,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Helen Levitt's auction record?
Helen Levitt's auction record is $60,733, set in 2007.
See the full Helen Levitt record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Helen Levitt on OpeningBid →