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

# Lou Stoumen (1917–1991)

## What is Lou Stoumen’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 25 auction results for Lou Stoumen at 8 houses since 2008. Over the last 24 months the median price was $315 including buyer’s premium (middle half $315–$318, n=5). The auction record is $9,000 for Forty Years (2008, Swann Auction Galleries). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forty Years: Lou Stoumen, 1980 | New York: The Witkin Gallery and Los Angeles: G. Ray Hawkins Gallery, 1980-1981. Twenty gelatin silver prints | $8,750 | Phillips | Oct 2014 |
| 2 | Times Square, 1939 | Gelatin silver print | $3,437 | Skinner (Bonhams Skinner) | May 2011 |
| 3 | Times Square, 1940 | Cartes-de-visite | $2,125 | Wright | Aug 2020 |
| 4 | Black Cat, 1941 | Cartes-de-visite | $1,890 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Mar 2023 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forty Years, 1940-1979 | Photographs | $9,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | May 2008 |
| 2 | Times Square 1940: A Paper Movie, 1977 | Silver prints | $8,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2016 |
| 3 | Times Square 1940: A Paper Movie, 1940 | Silver prints | $6,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2012 |
| 4 | Forty Years | Silver prints | $5,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2020 |
| 5 | Forty Years | Photographs | $4,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | May 2021 |
| 6 | Times Square 1940; A Paper Movie, 1940 | Gelatin silver prints | $3,570 | Bonhams | Aug 2021 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 6 | $3,250 |
| Photographs | 18 | $1,480 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 23 | $1,500 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 25 results from 8 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Lou Stoumen is an American artist with 106 auction lots recorded since 2006, median price $1,500. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Lou Stoumen sold in 2023 for $1,890, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Lou Stoumen work worth?

Across 25 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lou Stoumen work is $1,500.

The median Lou Stoumen photograph sells for $1,500 across 25 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Lou Stoumen photographs typically sell for $724–$3,678 (the middle half of 24 sold lots).

Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photography | 42 | $1,500‡ | $9,000 | 59.5% | 2025-06-27 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $8,750 | $9,000 | — | 2016-04-19 |

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

## Price by size

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 24 | $724–$3,678‡ | $1,470‡ | $9,000 |

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2008 | $9,000 |
| Photography | 2016 | $8,750 |

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 Lou Stoumen worth?

Across 25 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lou Stoumen work is $1,500. The median Lou Stoumen photograph sells for $1,500 across 25 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Lou Stoumen photographs typically sell for $724–$3,678 (the middle half of 24 sold lots). Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a Lou Stoumen photograph?

Based on 25 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lou Stoumen photograph is $1,500. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Lou Stoumen's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Lou Stoumen photograph is $9,000.

### What is the average price of a small Lou Stoumen photograph?

Based on 24 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Lou Stoumen photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,470, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Lou Stoumen's auction record?

Lou Stoumen's auction record is $9,000, set in 2008.

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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, “Lou Stoumen auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/lou-stoumen (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.