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

# Jerry Uelsmann (1934–2022)

## What is Jerry Uelsmann’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 224 auction results for Jerry Uelsmann at 22 houses since 1996. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,500 including buyer’s premium (middle half $764–$1,913, n=63). The auction record is $17,640 for Untitled (floating trees) (2022, Phillips). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Untitled (floating trees) | Cartes-de-visite | $17,640 | Phillips | Apr 2022 |
| 2 | Five Selected Images, 1969-1995 | Cartes-de-visite | $7,620 | Phillips | Oct 2023 |
| 3 | Untitled (Philosopher's Desk), 1934 | Gelatin silver print, printed 1976 | $6,144 | Bonhams | Jan 2024 |
| 4 | Untitled (Woods in Rock/Face in Rock) | Cartes-de-visite | $6,048 | Sotheby's | Jul 2021 |
| 5 | Room #1, 1963 | Cartes-de-visite | $5,670 | Phillips | Jan 2023 |
| 6 | Untitled (The Philosopher's Desk), 1976 | Cartes-de-visite | $5,502 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Mar 2023 |
| 7 | Untitled (Philosopher's Desk) and Untitled (Homage to the daguerreotype), 1976 | 1969 | Pencil on mount recto | $5,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2023 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Untitled (philosopher's desk), 1934 | Ink | $6,500 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2019 |
| 2 | Untitled (Philosopher's Desk), 1976 | Gelatin silver print | $6,144 | Bonhams | Jan 2024 |
| 3 | Untitled (Philosopher's Desk), 1976 | Gelatin silver print | $5,355 | Bonhams | Feb 2023 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 27 | $2,040 |
| Other | 43 | $1,875 |
| Photographs | 137 | $1,764 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 18 | $2,120 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 172 | $1,750 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 224 results from 22 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Jerry Uelsmann is an American artist with 412 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $1,771. 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 Jerry Uelsmann sold in 2026 for $2,159, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Jerry Uelsmann work worth?

Across 220 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Jerry Uelsmann work is $1,771.

The median Jerry Uelsmann photograph sells for $1,720 across 192 lots.

The median Jerry Uelsmann work on paper sells for $2,032 across 10 lots.

The median Jerry Uelsmann print sells for $2,187 across 5 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Jerry Uelsmann photographs typically sell for $1,000–$2,236 (the middle half of 174 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 | 8 | $2,187 | $3,500 | 62.5% | 2026-10-15 |
| Works on Paper | 10 | $2,032 | $3,048 | — | 2026-03-10 |
| Photography | 212 | $1,720† | $17,640 | 90.6% | 2026-10-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 12 | $6,058 | $17,640 | — | 2024-01-31 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 9 | $1,778–$2,413 | $2,032 | $3,048 |

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 174 | $1,000–$2,236† | $1,659† | $17,640 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $631–$2,372† | $1,882† | $5,000 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2022 | $17,640 |
| Photography | 2023 | $7,620 |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $3,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $3,048 |
| Prints & Editions | 2017 | $2,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $2,413 |

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 Jerry Uelsmann worth?

Across 220 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Jerry Uelsmann work is $1,771. The median Jerry Uelsmann photograph sells for $1,720 across 192 lots. The median Jerry Uelsmann work on paper sells for $2,032 across 10 lots. The median Jerry Uelsmann print sells for $2,187 across 5 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Jerry Uelsmann photographs typically sell for $1,000–$2,236 (the middle half of 174 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 Jerry Uelsmann photograph?

Based on 192 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Jerry Uelsmann photograph is $1,720. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Jerry Uelsmann's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Jerry Uelsmann photograph is $17,640.

### What is the average price of a small Jerry Uelsmann photograph?

Based on 174 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Jerry Uelsmann photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,659, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Jerry Uelsmann's auction record?

Jerry Uelsmann's auction record is $17,640, set in 2022.

---

Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Jerry Uelsmann auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/jerry-uelsmann (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.