> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ray-k-metzker · updated 2026-11-02

# Ray K. Metzker (1931–2014)

## What is Ray K. Metzker’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 77 auction results for Ray K. Metzker at 9 houses since 2008. Over the last 24 months the median price was $5,139 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,056–$6,196, n=12). The auction record is $20,619 for New York, 1958 (2019, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, 1958, 1958 | Silver print | $20,619 | Sotheby's | Nov 2019 |
| 2 | Leapin' zzz, 1990 | Composite of 17 gelatin silver prints, printed and assembled 1990, flush-mounted together on board | $20,000 | Phillips | Oct 2020 |
| 3 | Gumball, 1990 | Composite of five gelatin silver prints, flush-mounted together on board, mounted on secondary board, printed and assembled 1990 | $18,750 | Phillips | Oct 2019 |
| 4 | Philadelphia | Gelatin silver print, flush-mounted | $16,250 | Phillips | Apr 2018 |
| 5 | Selected Images from Philadelphia, 1980 | Gelatin silver prints | $15,240 | Sotheby's | May 2023 |
| 6 | Selected Images from Pictus Interruptus | Four gelatin silver prints | $12,500 | Phillips | Apr 2018 |
| 7 | Philadelphia, 1964 | Gelatin silver print, printed 1989 | $12,065 | Phillips | Apr 2025 |
| 8 | City Whispers, Philadelphia, 1981 | Gelatin silver prints | $10,160 | Sotheby's | Dec 2023 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blind Man's Bluff, 1990 | Composite of six gelatin silver prints, printed and assembled 1990, mounted together on board | $18,900 | Phillips | Apr 2021 |
| 2 | Philadelphia, 1964 | Gelatin silver print, printed 1980 | $12,500 | Phillips | Apr 2017 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 56 | $5,313 |
| Other | 14 | $4,525 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 67 | $5,080 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 77 results from 9 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Ray K. Metzker is an American artist with 107 auction lots recorded since 2008, median price $4,902. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Ray K. Metzker sold in 2026 for $4,902, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Ray K. Metzker work worth?

Across 77 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ray K. Metzker work is $4,902.

The median Ray K. Metzker photograph sells for $4,902 across 71 lots.

The median Ray K. Metzker print sells for $6,048 across 4 lots.

The median Ray K. Metzker work on paper sells for $4,800 across 1 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Ray K. Metzker photographs typically sell for $1,969–$6,500 (the middle half of 64 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 | 4 | $6,048 | $9,525 | — | 2026-10-15 |
| Works on Paper | 1 | $4,800 | $4,800 | — | 2024-10-02 |
| Photography | 98 | $4,902† | $20,619 | 72.4% | 2026-10-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $19,450 | $20,619 | — | 2021-04-08 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

## Price by size

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 64 | $1,969–$6,500† | $4,971† | $20,619 |

† 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 | 2019 | $20,619 |
| Photography | 2020 | $20,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $9,525 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $8,255 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $4,800 |

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 Ray K. Metzker worth?

Across 77 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ray K. Metzker work is $4,902. The median Ray K. Metzker photograph sells for $4,902 across 71 lots. The median Ray K. Metzker print sells for $6,048 across 4 lots. The median Ray K. Metzker work on paper sells for $4,800 across 1 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Ray K. Metzker photographs typically sell for $1,969–$6,500 (the middle half of 64 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Ray K. Metzker photograph?

Based on 71 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ray K. Metzker photograph is $4,902. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Ray K. Metzker's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ray K. Metzker photograph is $20,619.

### What is the average price of a small Ray K. Metzker photograph?

Based on 64 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ray K. Metzker photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $4,971, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Ray K. Metzker's auction record?

Ray K. Metzker's auction record is $20,619, set in 2019.

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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, “Ray K. Metzker auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ray-k-metzker (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.