Sem (1863–1934)
What is Sem’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 54 auction results for Sem at 18 houses since 2002. Over the last 24 months the median price was $116 including buyer’s premium (middle half $108–$160, n=8). The auction record is $3,200 for Colette Willy (2002, Swann Auction Galleries). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sacha Guitry | Crayon | $2,955 | Ader | Oct 2021 |
| 2 | White Bottoms, 1927 | Procédé photomécanique. Impression en couleurs. Réunion de 41 planches (la dernière planche double), sous couverture illustrée défraîchie. Très belles épreuves sur vélin crème | $2,869 | Ader | Dec 2012 |
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colette Willy | Etching | $3,200 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2002 |
| 2 | Bière du Dragon | Chromolithographie | $2,308 | Ader | Apr 2025 |
| 3 | Alcazar d’été | Chromolithographie. Entoilée | $2,195 | Ader | May 2022 |
| 4 | Sem au bois. 1907-1908, 1907-1908 | Lithographie | $1,846 | Ader | Dec 2019 |
| 5 | Le Vrai & Le Faux Chic, 1914 | Lithograph | $1,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2014 |
| 6 | Les Acacias | Lithograph | $1,348 | Sworders | Oct 2021 |
| 7 | Au Palais de Glace, circa 1900 | Lithographed | $1,280 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2014 |
| 8 | MONTE CARLO BEACH / LE PARADIS RETROUVÉ, 1935 | — | $1,125 | Swann Auction Galleries | Aug 2016 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 15 | $619 |
| Prints | 23 | $293 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $686 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 23 | $420 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 54 results from 18 houses · How we compute these figures
Sem is a French artist with 94 auction lots recorded since 2002, median price $414. 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 Sem sold in 2025 for $2,308, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Sem record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Sem on OpeningBid →What is a Sem work worth?
Across 49 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Sem work is $414.
The median Sem print sells for $360 across 40 lots.
The median Sem work on paper sells for $560 across 3 lots.
The median Sem photograph sells for $625 across 1 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Sem prints typically sell for $116–$812 (the middle half of 21 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 | 49 | $360†‡ | $3,200 | 81.6% | 2026-05-05 |
| Works on Paper | 6 | $560 | $2,955 | 50% | 2021-10-06 |
| Photography | 1 | $625 | $625 | — | 2014-08-06 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $2,955 | $3,200 | — | 2021-10-06 |
† 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) | 7 | $107–$875†‡ | $272†‡ | $1,280 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 21 | $116–$812† | $294† | $3,200 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2002 | $3,200 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $2,955 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $2,308 |
| Photography | 2014 | $625 |
| Works on Paper | 2014 | $560 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Sem worth?
Across 49 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Sem work is $414. The median Sem print sells for $360 across 40 lots. The median Sem work on paper sells for $560 across 3 lots. The median Sem photograph sells for $625 across 1 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Sem prints typically sell for $116–$812 (the middle half of 21 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 Sem print?
Based on 40 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Sem print is $360. 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 Sem's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Sem print is $3,200.
What is the average price of a medium Sem print?
Based on 21 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Sem print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $294, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Sem's auction record?
Sem's auction record is $3,200, set in 2002.
See the full Sem record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Sem on OpeningBid →