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

# Helen Levitt (1913–2009)

## What is Helen Levitt’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | 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 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 234 | $5,000 |
| Other | 62 | $4,775 |

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

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


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.

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

## 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.

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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, “Helen Levitt auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/helen-levitt (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.