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

# Keith Carter (b. 1948)

## What is Keith Carter’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 62 auction results for Keith Carter at 14 houses since 1996. Over the last 24 months the median price was $957 including buyer’s premium (middle half $570–$1,463, n=14). The auction record is $8,288 for Fireflies (2025, Bonhams). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fireflies | Cartes-de-visite | $7,500 | Phillips | Oct 2017 |
| 2 | Mud Lovers, 1990 | Gelatin silver print. 1990. Signed in pencil in the margin; signed, titled and dated in pencil on the verso | $2,868 | Christie's | Feb 2003 |
| 3 | Silhouette * Caballos Blancos * Mudlovers * Meagan's New Shoes, 1990-1996 | Silver prints | $2,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2020 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fireflies, 1948 | Gelatin silver print | $8,288 | Bonhams | Oct 2025 |
| 2 | Fireflies, 1948 | Pencil | $7,200 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2012 |
| 3 | Fireflies | Gelatin silver print | $7,095 | Phillips | Oct 2026 |
| 4 | Fireflies, 1992 | Toned silver print | $6,960 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2010 |
| 5 | Fireflies, 1992 | Platinum print | $6,500 | Swann Auction Galleries | Dec 2007 |
| 6 | Fireflies, 1948 | Gelatin silver print | $2,500 | Bonhams | Oct 2016 |
| 7 | Jessamine's Gown, 1948 | Pencil | $2,400 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2008 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 8 | $1,315 |
| Photographs | 44 | $1,000 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 42 | $1,156 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 8 | $750 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 62 results from 14 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Keith Carter is an American artist with 108 auction lots recorded since 1996, median price $1,000. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Keith Carter sold in 2026 for $7,095, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Keith Carter work worth?

Across 62 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Keith Carter work is $1,000.

The median Keith Carter photograph sells for $1,008 across 60 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Keith Carter photographs typically sell for $640–$2,000 (the middle half of 49 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photography | 76 | $1,008† | $8,288 | 78.9% | 2026-10-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $7,350 | $8,288 | — | 2026-10-08 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

## Price by size

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 49 | $640–$2,000† | $1,100† | $8,288 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 9 | $625–$938† | $750† | $1,600† |

† 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 | 2025 | $8,288 |
| Photography | 2017 | $7,500 |

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 Keith Carter worth?

Across 62 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Keith Carter work is $1,000. The median Keith Carter photograph sells for $1,008 across 60 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Keith Carter photographs typically sell for $640–$2,000 (the middle half of 49 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Keith Carter photograph?

Based on 60 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Keith Carter photograph is $1,008. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Keith Carter's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Keith Carter photograph is $8,288.

### What is the average price of a small Keith Carter photograph?

Based on 49 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Keith Carter photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,100, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Keith Carter's auction record?

Keith Carter's auction record is $8,288, set in 2025.

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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, “Keith Carter auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/keith-carter (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.