> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/joe-rosenthal · updated 2026-11-03

# Joe Rosenthal (1911–2006)

## What is Joe Rosenthal’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 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.

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

| # | 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 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | 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 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 5 | $4,680 |
| Photographs | 41 | $2,600 |
| Works on paper | 11 | $171 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 49 | $2,750 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 68 results from 12 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Joe Rosenthal is an American artist with 88 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $2,375. 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.

## What is a Joe Rosenthal work worth?

Across 68 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joe Rosenthal work is $2,375.

The median Joe Rosenthal photograph sells for $2,840 across 46 lots.

The median Joe Rosenthal work on paper sells for $134 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 | $3,717 | $3,717 | — | 2010-11-22 |
| Works on Paper | 10 | $134 | $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.

Joe Rosenthal's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (5 lots) median $1,250. Paintings (1 lots) median $3,717, record $3,717. A typical Joe Rosenthal painting sells for around 3.0× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 3 lots) the median is $13,750.

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

## 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 $2,375. The median Joe Rosenthal photograph sells for $2,840 across 46 lots. The median Joe Rosenthal work on paper sells for $134 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.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Joe Rosenthal auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/joe-rosenthal (updated 2026-11-03).

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.