> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-van-der-zee · updated 2026-11-02

# James Van Der Zee (1886–1983)

## What is James Van Der Zee’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | 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 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 47 | $1,600 |

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

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


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.

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

## 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.

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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, “James Van Der Zee auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-van-der-zee (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.