James Van Der Zee (1886–1983)
What is James Van Der Zee’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 60 auction results for James Van Der Zee at 12 houses since 1992. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,357 including buyer’s premium (middle half $901–$4,640, n=10). The auction record is $25,000 for Eight Portraits (2016, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eight Portraits, 1920s-1930s | Cartes-de-visite | $25,000 | Christie's | Apr 2016 |
| 2 | Portrait of a Harlem Preacher, 'Daddy Grace' and Congregation, 1938; Untitled (Young black woman with studio background), 1938 | Cartes-de-visite | $11,250 | Phillips | Oct 2014 |
| 3 | Eighteen Photographs (1905-1938), 1974 | 18 gelatin silver prints | $10,148 | Christie's | Jun 1999 |
| 4 | Eighteen Photographs, 1907-1938, 1886 | Gelatin silver prints, each mounted on board | $10,080 | Christie's | Apr 2025 |
| 5 | 18 Photographs 1905-1938, 1905 | Gelatin silver prints | $8,825 | Bonhams | Feb 2020 |
| 6 | Self Portrait, 1886 | Cartes-de-visite | $8,125 | Christie's | Oct 2009 |
| 7 | Elegant young man with cigar, 1932 | Warm-toned gelatin silver contact print | $7,500 | Christie's | Oct 2019 |
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eighteen Photographs, 1886 | James Van Der Zee: Eighteen Photographs | $25,000 | Christie's | Apr 2016 |
| 2 | Eighteen Photographs, 1905 | Cartes-de-visite | $10,710 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Dec 2024 |
| 3 | Eighteen Photographs, 1974 | Photographs | $9,525 | Sotheby's | Apr 2023 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 47 | $1,600 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 44 | $1,938 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 60 results from 12 houses · How we compute these figures
James Van Der Zee is an American artist with 95 auction lots recorded since 1992, median price $1,240. 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 James Van Der Zee sold in 2026 for $2,904, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full James Van Der Zee record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View James Van Der Zee on OpeningBid →What is a James Van Der Zee work worth?
Across 60 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Van Der Zee work is $1,240.
The median James Van Der Zee photograph sells for $1,400 across 51 lots.
The median James Van Der Zee print sells for $1,546 across 4 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) James Van Der Zee photographs typically sell for $802–$6,562 (the middle half of 40 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 | 4 | $1,546 | $3,810 | — | 2026-10-15 |
| Photography | 63 | $1,400† | $25,000 | 81% | 2026-07-14 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $25,000 | $25,000 | — | 2016-04-06 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Price by size
Photography
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 40 | $802–$6,562 | $2,000 | $25,000 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2016 | $25,000 |
| Photography | 2016 | $25,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $3,810 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $2,904 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a James Van Der Zee worth?
Across 60 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Van Der Zee work is $1,240. The median James Van Der Zee photograph sells for $1,400 across 51 lots. The median James Van Der Zee print sells for $1,546 across 4 lots. Small (under 50 cm) James Van Der Zee photographs typically sell for $802–$6,562 (the middle half of 40 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 James Van Der Zee photograph?
Based on 51 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Van Der Zee photograph is $1,400. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is James Van Der Zee's most expensive photograph?
The highest price recorded at auction for a James Van Der Zee photograph is $25,000.
What is the average price of a small James Van Der Zee photograph?
Based on 40 sold lots, the median auction price of a small James Van Der Zee photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is James Van Der Zee's auction record?
James Van Der Zee's auction record is $25,000, set in 2016.
See the full James Van Der Zee record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View James Van Der Zee on OpeningBid →