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

# Karl Priebe (1914–1976)

## What is Karl Priebe’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 29 auction results for Karl Priebe at 9 houses since 1994. Over the last 24 months the median price was $8,960 including buyer’s premium (middle half $5,020–$12,385, n=15). The auction record is $20,480 for The Baroness Rudlieb (2026, Wright). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Baroness Rudlieb, 1953 | Gouache on board | $20,480 | Wright | Oct 2026 |
| 2 | Portrait of Gertrude Abercrombie; Black Woman with Black Dog and Red Bricks, 1941-42 | Gouache on paper | $17,920 | Freeman's Hindman | Dec 2025 |
| 3 | Girl and Bird, 1954 | Casein on paperboard | $12,800 | Wright | Oct 2026 |
| 4 | The Sandpipers, 1948 | Watercolor and gouache on board | $12,800 | Toomey & Co. | Jun 2026 |
| 5 | The Jacamar Trap, 1949 | Gouache | $11,970 | Christie's | May 2025 |
| 6 | Portrait with Bird on Shoulder, 1947 | Gouache on board in artist's frame | $10,880 | Toomey & Co. | Jun 2026 |
| 7 | Lady and Jacamar, 1947 | Gouache on board | $9,525 | Toomey & Co. | Feb 2025 |
| 8 | The Bewitched Julian, 1946 | Casein and gouache on board | $8,960 | Rago Arts | Sep 2026 |
| 9 | Penguin, 1953 | Gouache and pastel on paper | $6,400 | Toomey & Co. | Jun 2026 |
| 10 | Rudi Jr., 1945, 1945 | Gouache on board | $6,400 | Freeman's Hindman | Jun 2025 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 13 | $3,024 |
| Works on paper | 14 | $2,057 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 6 | $7,680 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 20 | $1,472 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 29 results from 9 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Karl Priebe is an American artist with 28 auction lots recorded since 1994, median price $2,193. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Karl Priebe sold in 2026 for $20,480, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Karl Priebe work worth?

Across 27 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Karl Priebe work is $2,193.

The median Karl Priebe work on paper sells for $6,080 across 11 lots.

The median Karl Priebe print sells for $100 across 3 lots.

The median Karl Priebe painting sells for $4,805 across 4 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 | 6 | $100† | $275† | 50% | 2024-01-23 |
| Paintings | 4 | $4,805 | $12,800 | — | 2026-09-23 |
| Works on Paper | 11 | $6,080 | $17,920 | — | 2026-10-13 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Karl Priebe's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (6 lots) median $100 with 50% sell-through. Paintings (4 lots) median $4,805, record $12,800. A typical Karl Priebe painting sells for around 48× the price of a typical print.

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 9 | $960–$10,880 | $6,080 | $17,920 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $17,920 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $12,800 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $12,800 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $8,960 |
| Prints & Editions | 2004 | $275† |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $100 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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 Karl Priebe worth?

Across 27 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Karl Priebe work is $2,193. The median Karl Priebe work on paper sells for $6,080 across 11 lots. The median Karl Priebe print sells for $100 across 3 lots. The median Karl Priebe painting sells for $4,805 across 4 lots. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Karl Priebe work on paper?

Based on 11 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Karl Priebe work on paper is $6,080.

### What is Karl Priebe's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Karl Priebe work on paper is $17,920.

### What is Karl Priebe's auction record?

Karl Priebe's auction record is $20,480, set in 2026.

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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, “Karl Priebe auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/karl-priebe (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.