Ralph Steiner (1899–1986)
What is Ralph Steiner’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 91 auction results for Ralph Steiner at 14 houses since 1994. Over the last 24 months the median price was $937 including buyer’s premium (middle half $667–$2,168, n=13). The auction record is $20,000 for The Yaddo Summer, Ford, 1929 (2012, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Yaddo Summer, Ford, 1929, 1930 | Cartes-de-visite | $20,000 | Christie's | Apr 2012 |
| 2 | Ten Photographs from the Twenties and Thirties & One From the Seventies | Silver prints | $15,600 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2012 |
| 3 | Typewriter Keys, 1921 | Cartes-de-visite | $6,875 | Wright | Jun 2020 |
| 4 | Ten Photographs from the Twenties and Thirties and One from the Seventies, 1920s-1970s | Silver prints | $5,250 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2019 |
| 5 | Untitled (side of old clapboard building), circa 1930 | Pencil | $5,040 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2008 |
| 6 | Ham and Eggs, 1926 | Cartes-de-visite | $5,000 | Christie's | Apr 2014 |
| 7 | Poughkeepsie Bridge, 1929 | Silver print | $4,800 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2009 |
| 8 | Early & Late, 1924-1980 | Photographs | $4,080 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2011 |
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ten Photographs from the Twenties and Thirties & One From the Seventies | Photographs | $10,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2017 |
| 2 | American Rural Baroque, 1930 | Silver print, flush mounted to board | $7,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Mar 2021 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 20 | $2,200 |
| Photographs | 64 | $1,500 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 82 | $1,625 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 91 results from 14 houses · How we compute these figures
Ralph Steiner is an American artist with 151 auction lots recorded since 1994, median price $1,515.
A work by Ralph Steiner sold in 2026 for $3,048, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Ralph Steiner record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ralph Steiner on OpeningBid →What is a Ralph Steiner work worth?
Across 88 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ralph Steiner work is $1,515.
The median Ralph Steiner photograph sells for $1,500 across 76 lots.
The median Ralph Steiner print sells for $2,876 across 6 lots.
The median Ralph Steiner work on paper sells for $2,168 across 1 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Ralph Steiner photographs typically sell for $1,077–$2,750 (the middle half of 72 sold lots).
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 8 | $2,876 | $3,750 | 75% | 2026-10-15 |
| Works on Paper | 1 | $2,168 | $2,168 | — | 2025-07-17 |
| Photography | 95 | $1,500 | $20,000 | 80% | 2025-12-03 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $10,000 | $20,000 | — | 2021-03-11 |
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $1,906–$3,036 | $2,876 | $3,750 |
Photography
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 72 | $1,077–$2,750 | $1,515 | $20,000 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2012 | $20,000 |
| Photography | 2012 | $15,600 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $3,750 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $3,048 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $2,168 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Ralph Steiner worth?
Across 88 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ralph Steiner work is $1,515. The median Ralph Steiner photograph sells for $1,500 across 76 lots. The median Ralph Steiner print sells for $2,876 across 6 lots. The median Ralph Steiner work on paper sells for $2,168 across 1 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Ralph Steiner photographs typically sell for $1,077–$2,750 (the middle half of 72 sold lots).
What is the average price of a Ralph Steiner photograph?
Based on 76 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ralph Steiner photograph is $1,500.
What is Ralph Steiner's most expensive photograph?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ralph Steiner photograph is $20,000.
What is the average price of a small Ralph Steiner photograph?
Based on 72 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ralph Steiner photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,515, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is Ralph Steiner's auction record?
Ralph Steiner's auction record is $20,000, set in 2012.
See the full Ralph Steiner record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ralph Steiner on OpeningBid →