> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-a-garnett · updated 2026-11-02

# William A. Garnett (1916–2016)

## What is William A. Garnett’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 28 auction results for William A. Garnett at 7 houses since 1999. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,400 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,175–$1,721, n=6). The auction record is $32,500 for Train Crossing Desert, Kelso, CA, 1974 (2011, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Train Crossing Desert, Kelso, CA, 1974, 1916 | Cartes-de-visite | $32,500 | Christie's | Apr 2011 |
| 2 | Train crossing desert near Kelso, California, 1974, 1916 | Gelatin silver print | $13,420 | Bonhams | May 2010 |
| 3 | Waterhole on Santa Fe Trail with Cattle Tracks, New Mexico, 1975, 1916 | Cartes-de-visite | $11,250 | Christie's | Apr 2011 |
| 4 | Hopi Mesas, Arizona, 1956 | Pencil on mount recto | $5,250 | Swann Auction Galleries | May 2024 |
| 5 | Plowed Field (Vertical) Arvin, California, 1951, 1916 | Gelatin silver print | $4,080 | Bonhams | Apr 2021 |
| 6 | Sand Dune, Death Valley, 1916 | Pencil | $3,875 | Bonhams | Nov 2011 |
| 7 | Sand Bars, Colorado River, 1954 | Pencil | $3,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2019 |
| 8 | Train Crossing Desert near Kelso, California, 1974, 1974 | Gelatin silver print | $3,750 | Bonhams | Oct 2015 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sand Dune #1, Palm Desert, California, 1975 | Gelatin silver print | $4,406 | Christie's | Oct 2003 |
| 2 | Sand Dune with Sage Brush, Death Valley, Calif., 1954 | Pencil | $4,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2020 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 23 | $1,896 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 19 | $2,250 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 6 | $2,166 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 28 results from 7 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


William A. Garnett is an American artist with 44 auction lots recorded since 1999, median price $2,028.

A work by William A. Garnett sold in 2025 for $2,250, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a William A. Garnett work worth?

Across 28 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William A. Garnett work is $2,028.

The median William A. Garnett photograph sells for $2,028 across 26 lots.

The median William A. Garnett work on paper sells for $3,875 across 1 lots.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 1 | $3,875 | $3,875 | — | 2011-11-01 |
| Photography | 31 | $2,028 | $32,500 | 83.9% | 2026-03-10 |

## Price by size

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 18 | $1,394–$3,938 | $2,205 | $32,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $1,420–$3,218 | $1,788 | $11,250 |

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2011 | $32,500 |
| Photography | 2010 | $13,420 |
| Works on Paper | 2011 | $3,875 |

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 William A. Garnett worth?

Across 28 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William A. Garnett work is $2,028. The median William A. Garnett photograph sells for $2,028 across 26 lots. The median William A. Garnett work on paper sells for $3,875 across 1 lots.

### What is the average price of a William A. Garnett photograph?

Based on 26 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a William A. Garnett photograph is $2,028.

### What is William A. Garnett's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a William A. Garnett photograph is $32,500.

### What is the average price of a small William A. Garnett photograph?

Based on 18 sold lots, the median auction price of a small William A. Garnett photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,205, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is William A. Garnett's auction record?

William A. Garnett's auction record is $32,500, set in 2011.

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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, “William A. Garnett auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-a-garnett (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.