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

# Ralph Steiner (1899–1986)

## What is Ralph Steiner’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | 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 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 20 | $2,200 |
| Photographs | 64 | $1,500 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

---

Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Ralph Steiner auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ralph-steiner (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.