Joe Rosenthal (1911–2006)
What is Joe Rosenthal’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 68 auction results for Joe Rosenthal at 12 houses since 1994. Over the last 24 months the median price was $797 including buyer’s premium (middle half $174–$1,595, n=7). The auction record is $32,200 for flag raising on mt. suribachi, iwo jima (2007, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | flag raising on mt. suribachi, iwo jima | — | $32,200 | Sotheby's | Oct 2007 |
| 2 | MARINES OF THE 28TH REGIMENT OF THE 5TH DIVISION RAISE THE AMERICAN FLAG ATOP MT. SURIBACHI, IWO JIMA, 1945 | Gelatin silver print | $13,750 | Sotheby's | Jul 2020 |
| 3 | Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, 1945 | Silver print | $7,800 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2016 |
| 4 | Flag Raising at Iwo Jima, 1945 | Cartes-de-visite | $6,741 | Phillips | Nov 2021 |
| 5 | Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, 1990 | Silver print | $6,720 | Swann Auction Galleries | Dec 2010 |
| 6 | Raising the Flag, Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima, February 23, 1945, 1911 | Cartes-de-visite | $6,250 | Christie's | Dec 2009 |
| 7 | Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, 1945 | Silver print | $5,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2017 |
| 8 | Flag Raising at Iwo Jima, 1995 | Cartes-de-visite | $4,750 | Phillips | Apr 2018 |
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flag Raising at Iwo Jima, 1945 | Ink | $4,800 | Swann Auction Galleries | May 2007 |
| 2 | Flag Raising at Iwo Jima, 1945 | Gelatin silver print | $4,750 | Bonhams | Apr 2015 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 5 | $4,680 |
| Photographs | 41 | $2,600 |
| Works on paper | 9 | $229 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 49 | $2,750 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 68 results from 12 houses · How we compute these figures
Joe Rosenthal is an American artist with 88 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $2,388. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.
A work by Joe Rosenthal sold in 2025 for $4,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Joe Rosenthal record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Joe Rosenthal on OpeningBid →What is a Joe Rosenthal work worth?
Across 68 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joe Rosenthal work is $2,388.
The median Joe Rosenthal photograph sells for $2,840 across 46 lots.
The median Joe Rosenthal work on paper sells for $131 across 10 lots.
The median Joe Rosenthal print sells for $1,250 across 5 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Joe Rosenthal photographs typically sell for $1,829–$4,250 (the middle half of 45 sold lots).
Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 5 | $1,250 | $2,040 | — | 2022-04-14 |
| Paintings | 1 | — | — | — | 2010-11-22 |
| Works on Paper | 10 | $131 | $1,179 | — | 2026-02-05 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 3 | — | — | — | 2023-10-26 |
| Photography | 53 | $2,840† | $13,750 | 86.8% | 2025-11-27 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $13,750 | $32,200 | — | 2020-07-14 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Price by size
Photography
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 45 | $1,829–$4,250† | $2,880† | $13,750 |
† 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 | 2020 | $13,750 |
| Photography | 2016 | $7,800 |
| Paintings | 2010 | $3,717 |
| Prints & Editions | 2010 | $2,040 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $1,250 |
| Works on Paper | 2011 | $1,179 |
| Works on Paper | 2019 | $171 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Joe Rosenthal worth?
Across 68 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joe Rosenthal work is $2,388. The median Joe Rosenthal photograph sells for $2,840 across 46 lots. The median Joe Rosenthal work on paper sells for $131 across 10 lots. The median Joe Rosenthal print sells for $1,250 across 5 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Joe Rosenthal photographs typically sell for $1,829–$4,250 (the middle half of 45 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is the average price of a Joe Rosenthal photograph?
Based on 46 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Joe Rosenthal photograph is $2,840. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Joe Rosenthal's most expensive photograph?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Joe Rosenthal photograph is $13,750.
What is the average price of a small Joe Rosenthal photograph?
Based on 45 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Joe Rosenthal photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,880, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Joe Rosenthal's auction record?
Joe Rosenthal's auction record is $32,200, set in 2007.
See the full Joe Rosenthal record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Joe Rosenthal on OpeningBid →