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

# Robert Frank (1924–2019)

## What is Robert Frank’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 808 auction results for Robert Frank at 37 houses since 1991. Over the last 24 months the median price was $6,029 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,080–$23,020, n=43). The auction record is $952,500 for Charleston S. C. (2023, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charleston S. C. | The Art of Photography: 150 Years | $952,500 | Sotheby's | May 2023 |
| 2 | Trolley - New Orleans, 1955, 1924 | Cartes-de-visite | $623,400 | Christie's | Oct 2007 |
| 3 | Trolley – New Orleans, 1956 | Cartes-de-visite | $403,200 | Phillips | Apr 2021 |
| 4 | 'LONDON' (HEARSE) | — | $270,000 | Sotheby's | Apr 2007 |
| 5 | Bar - Gallup, New Mexico, 1955, 1967-1968 | Cartes-de-visite | $245,000 | Christie's | Mar 2015 |
| 6 | Peru, 1924 | Gelatin silver prints | $242,500 | Christie's | Apr 2011 |
| 7 | Trolley, New Orleans | Cartes-de-visite | $242,500 | Phillips | Apr 2013 |
| 8 | City Fathers, Hoboken, New Jersey, 1955 | Cartes-de-visite | $212,500 | Phillips | Oct 2016 |
| 9 | 'mississippi river' | — | $205,000 | Sotheby's | Apr 2008 |
| 10 | U.S. 285, New Mexico | Cartes-de-visite | $201,600 | Phillips | Oct 2021 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 590 | $13,180 |
| Works on paper | 19 | $7,000 |
| Other | 115 | $2,318 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 520 | $16,510 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 13 | $8,942 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 808 results from 37 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Robert Frank is an American artist with 1,156 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $11,250. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Robert Frank sold in 2026 for $20,640, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Robert Frank work worth?

Across 805 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Robert Frank work is $11,250.

The median Robert Frank photograph sells for $11,430 across 738 lots.

The median Robert Frank print sells for $2,159 across 9 lots.

The median Robert Frank work on paper sells for $1,950 across 2 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Robert Frank photographs typically sell for $6,944–$38,100 (the middle half of 554 sold lots).

Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 13 | $2,159 | $7,800 | 69.2% | 2026-10-15 |
| Works on Paper | 4 | $1,950‡ | $3,750 | 50% | 2023-01-27 |
| Photography | 967 | $11,430†‡ | $952,500 | 76.3% | 2026-10-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 53 | $137,000 | $952,500 | — | 2026-02-12 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $727–$2,232 | $1,778 | $3,842 |

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 554 | $6,944–$38,100†‡ | $16,510†‡ | $623,400 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 10 | $5,821–$30,742 | $15,274 | $952,500 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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 | 2023 | $952,500 |
| Photography | 2007 | $623,400 |
| Prints & Editions | 2012 | $7,800 |
| Prints & Editions | 2009 | $6,127 |
| Works on Paper | 2011 | $3,750 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $150‡ |

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

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 Robert Frank worth?

Across 805 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Robert Frank work is $11,250. The median Robert Frank photograph sells for $11,430 across 738 lots. The median Robert Frank print sells for $2,159 across 9 lots. The median Robert Frank work on paper sells for $1,950 across 2 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Robert Frank photographs typically sell for $6,944–$38,100 (the middle half of 554 sold lots). Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is the average price of a Robert Frank photograph?

Based on 738 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Robert Frank photograph is $11,430. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is Robert Frank's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Robert Frank photograph is $952,500.

### What is the average price of a Robert Frank print?

Based on 9 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Robert Frank print is $2,159.

### What is Robert Frank's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Robert Frank print is $7,800.

### What is the average price of a small Robert Frank photograph?

Based on 554 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Robert Frank photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $16,510, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is the average price of a medium Robert Frank photograph?

Based on 10 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Robert Frank photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $15,274, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Robert Frank's auction record?

Robert Frank's auction record is $952,500, set in 2023.

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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, “Robert Frank auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/robert-frank (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.