> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/roy-decarava · updated 2026-11-03

# Roy DeCarava (1919–2009)

## What is Roy DeCarava’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 94 auction results for Roy DeCarava at 9 houses since 1994. Over the last 24 months the median price was $26,255 including buyer’s premium (middle half $15,708–$40,845, n=6). The auction record is $100,000 for Portfolio entitled Roy DeCarava (2018, Swann Auction Galleries). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hallway, New York, 1982 | Cartes-de-visite | $72,500 | Phillips | Oct 2019 |
| 2 | Roy De Carava, 1991 | 12 dust-grain photogravures | $67,500 | Swann Auction Galleries | Dec 2007 |
| 3 | Portfolio entitled "Roy DeCarava." With 12 stunning, dust-grain photogravures, image size approximately 8x11 inches (20, 1919 | Photogravures | $57,600 | Swann Auction Galleries | May 2009 |
| 4 | Dancers (Harlem), 1955 | Ink | $52,500 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2019 |
| 5 | Half Note | Cartes-de-visite | $50,400 | Sotheby's | Oct 2021 |
| 6 | Couple dancing, 1982 | Cartes-de-visite | $50,000 | Christie's | Oct 2013 |
| 7 | Hallway, New York, 1953 | Ink on recto | $50,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2025 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portfolio entitled Roy DeCarava, 1991 | Hand printed dust-grain photogravures | $100,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2018 |
| 2 | Portfolio entitled "Roy DeCarava.", 1950-1979 | Photogravures | $57,200 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2014 |
| 3 | Portfolio entitled Roy DeCarava, 1950-1979 | Hand printed dust-grain photogravures | $45,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | May 2025 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 48 | $16,875 |
| Works on paper | 8 | $10,400 |
| Other | 15 | $10,000 |
| Prints | 19 | $2,750 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 87 | $10,625 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 94 results from 9 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Roy DeCarava is an American artist with 112 auction lots recorded since 1994, median price $9,600. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Roy DeCarava sold in 2026 for $24,130, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Roy DeCarava work worth?

Across 94 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Roy DeCarava work is $9,600.

The median Roy DeCarava photograph sells for $12,900 across 74 lots.

The median Roy DeCarava print sells for $2,815 across 20 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Roy DeCarava photographs typically sell for $8,125–$29,595 (the middle half of 70 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Roy DeCarava prints typically sell for $1,438–$3,420 (the middle half of 20 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 | 21 | $2,815 | $24,130 | 95.2% | 2026-10-15 |
| Photography | 79 | $12,900† | $100,000 | 93.7% | 2026-04-11 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $67,500 | $100,000 | — | 2019-10-01 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 20 | $1,438–$3,420 | $2,815 | $24,130 |

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 70 | $8,125–$29,595† | $14,212† | $100,000 |

† 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 | 2018 | $100,000 |
| Photography | 2019 | $72,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $24,130 |
| Prints & Editions | 2011 | $6,240 |

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 Roy DeCarava worth?

Across 94 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Roy DeCarava work is $9,600. The median Roy DeCarava photograph sells for $12,900 across 74 lots. The median Roy DeCarava print sells for $2,815 across 20 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Roy DeCarava photographs typically sell for $8,125–$29,595 (the middle half of 70 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Roy DeCarava prints typically sell for $1,438–$3,420 (the middle half of 20 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Roy DeCarava photograph?

Based on 74 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Roy DeCarava photograph is $12,900. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Roy DeCarava's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Roy DeCarava photograph is $100,000.

### What is the average price of a Roy DeCarava print?

Based on 20 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Roy DeCarava print is $2,815.

### What is Roy DeCarava's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Roy DeCarava print is $24,130.

### What is the average price of a small Roy DeCarava photograph?

Based on 70 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Roy DeCarava photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $14,212, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a small Roy DeCarava print?

Based on 20 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Roy DeCarava print (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,815, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Roy DeCarava's auction record?

Roy DeCarava's auction record is $100,000, set in 2018.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Roy DeCarava auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/roy-decarava (updated 2026-11-03).

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.