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

# Lillian Bassman (1917–2017)

## What is Lillian Bassman’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 105 auction results for Lillian Bassman at 10 houses since 2006. Over the last 24 months the median price was $10,218 including buyer’s premium (middle half $4,684–$11,520, n=22). The auction record is $50,000 for Across the Restaurant, Barbara Mullen, dress by Jacques Fath, Le Grand Vefour, Paris (2016, Phillips). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Across the Restaurant, Barbara Mullen, dress by Jacques Fath, Le Grand Vefour, Paris | Cartes-de-visite | $50,000 | Phillips | Apr 2016 |
| 2 | Barbara Mullen aboard Le Bateau-Mouche, Chanel Advertising Campaign, Paris | Myrrh | $37,800 | Phillips | Apr 2022 |
| 3 | More Fashion Mileage Per Dress, Barbara Vaughn, Harper's Bazaar, New York, 1956, 1917 | Gelatin silver print, printed later | $21,420 | Christie's | Apr 2022 |
| 4 | Blowing Kiss, Barbara Mullen, New York | Cartes-de-visite | $20,000 | Phillips | Apr 2016 |
| 5 | Coiffure, for Harper's Bazaar, 1917 | Cartes-de-visite | $18,125 | Christie's | Apr 2011 |
| 6 | More Fashion Mileage Per Dress, Barbara Vaughn, Harper's Bazaar, New York, 1956 | Platinum-palladium print | $17,920 | Sotheby's | Oct 2026 |
| 7 | Barbara Mullen, New York, Harper's Bazaar, circa 1958 | Cartes-de-visite | $15,599 | Phillips | Nov 2016 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Across the Restaurant, Barbara Mullen, dress by Jacques Fath, Le Grand Vefour, Paris, 1949 | Cartes-de-visite | $35,000 | Phillips | Oct 2016 |
| 2 | Across the Restaurant, Barbara Mullen, dress by Jacques Fath, Le Grand Véfour, Paris, 1949 | Cartes-de-visite | $32,500 | Phillips | Oct 2017 |
| 3 | The Little Furs, 1955 | Cartes-de-visite | $16,082 | Phillips | May 2016 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 90 | $7,791 |
| Other | 10 | $4,635 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 53 | $8,329 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 45 | $6,623 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 105 results from 10 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Lillian Bassman is an American artist with 168 auction lots recorded since 2006, median price $7,500. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Lillian Bassman sold in 2026 for $7,680, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Lillian Bassman work worth?

Across 105 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lillian Bassman work is $7,500.

The median Lillian Bassman photograph sells for $6,875 across 92 lots.

The median Lillian Bassman work on paper sells for $11,250 across 2 lots.

The median Lillian Bassman print sells for $37,800 across 1 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Lillian Bassman photographs typically sell for $4,915–$11,648 (the middle half of 47 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Lillian Bassman photographs typically sell for $3,539–$9,296 (the middle half of 42 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 | 1 | $37,800 | $37,800 | — | 2022-04-06 |
| Works on Paper | 3 | $11,250 | $11,875 | 66.7% | 2011-04-07 |
| Photography | 117 | $6,875† | $50,000 | 78.6% | 2026-10-07 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 6 | $33,750 | $50,000 | — | 2022-04-06 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

## Price by size

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 42 | $3,539–$9,296† | $5,145† | $20,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 47 | $4,915–$11,648† | $7,500† | $50,000 |

† 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 | 2016 | $50,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $37,800 |
| Photography | 2016 | $35,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2011 | $11,875 |
| Works on Paper | 2011 | $10,625 |

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 Lillian Bassman worth?

Across 105 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lillian Bassman work is $7,500. The median Lillian Bassman photograph sells for $6,875 across 92 lots. The median Lillian Bassman work on paper sells for $11,250 across 2 lots. The median Lillian Bassman print sells for $37,800 across 1 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Lillian Bassman photographs typically sell for $4,915–$11,648 (the middle half of 47 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Lillian Bassman photographs typically sell for $3,539–$9,296 (the middle half of 42 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Lillian Bassman photograph?

Based on 92 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lillian Bassman photograph is $6,875. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Lillian Bassman's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Lillian Bassman photograph is $50,000.

### What is the average price of a medium Lillian Bassman photograph?

Based on 47 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Lillian Bassman photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $7,500, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a small Lillian Bassman photograph?

Based on 42 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Lillian Bassman photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $5,145, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Lillian Bassman's auction record?

Lillian Bassman's auction record is $50,000, set in 2016.

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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, “Lillian Bassman auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/lillian-bassman (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.