William Christenberry (1936–2016)
What is William Christenberry’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 89 auction results for William Christenberry at 19 houses since 1996. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,340 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,026–$7,040, n=15). The auction record is $23,089 for Selected Images (2013, Phillips). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Selected Images, 2000-2001 | Sixteen chromogenic prints, printed 2000-2001 | $23,089 | Phillips | Nov 2013 |
| 2 | Selected images 12, 1936 | — | $12,000 | Bonhams | Dec 2017 |
| 3 | Coleman's Cafe, Greensboro, Alabama, 1967 | 16 digital pigment prints with UltraChrome K3 ink on Hahnemuhle photo satin paper | $10,320 | Phillips | Feb 2026 |
| 4 | The Bar-B-Q Inn, Greensboro, Alabama, 1964-1991 | Sixteen pigment prints, printed later | $10,320 | Phillips | Apr 2026 |
| 5 | Hale County, Alabama, 1936 | Chromogenic print | $8,825 | Bonhams | Apr 2019 |
| 6 | Selected Images of Alabama, 1989-2005 | Chromogenic print | $8,820 | Sotheby's | Oct 2021 |
| 7 | The Alabama Box, 1936 | Portfolio of three dye-transfer prints and seven Ektacolor prints, accompanied by relief sculpture, carved pine Jackknife, framed drawing and textile bag | $7,620 | Christie's | Oct 2025 |
| 8 | Union Gasoline Station, Near Greensboro, Alabama, 1974; J.F. Suttle Co. Store, Suttle, Alabama, 1973; and Country Store with Gasoline Pumps, Emelle, Alabama, 1974, 2000 | Chromogenic print | $7,500 | Christie's | Oct 2009 |
| 9 | A group of three photographs of Alabama storefronts, 1971-1977 | Pigment prints | $7,250 | Swann Auction Galleries | Mar 2021 |
| 10 | House and Car, Near Akron, Alabama, 1981 | Archival pigment print, printed 2010 | $7,095 | Phillips | Apr 2026 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 12 | $3,600 |
| Photographs | 55 | $2,340 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 31 | $2,375 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 34 | $2,250 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 89 results from 19 houses · How we compute these figures
William Christenberry is an American artist with 125 auction lots recorded since 1996, median price $2,250. 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 William Christenberry sold in 2026 for $2,340, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
3 William Christenberry works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow William Christenberry free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full William Christenberry record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View William Christenberry on OpeningBid →What is a William Christenberry work worth?
Across 86 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William Christenberry work is $2,250.
The median William Christenberry photograph sells for $1,912 across 65 lots.
The median William Christenberry print sells for $5,250 across 12 lots.
The median William Christenberry work on paper sells for $2,625 across 2 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) William Christenberry photographs typically sell for $1,108–$3,750 (the middle half of 35 sold lots).
Small (under 50 cm) William Christenberry photographs typically sell for $1,042–$4,000 (the middle half of 29 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 | 15 | $5,250† | $10,320 | 80% | 2026-04-11 |
| Works on Paper | 4 | $2,625† | $4,750 | 50% | 2024-11-21 |
| Photography | 80 | $1,912†‡ | $40,273 | 81.3% | 2026-04-11 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $12,000 | $40,273 | — | 2026-04-11 |
† 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) | 8 | $1,973–$8,295† | $4,674† | $10,320 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Photography
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 29 | $1,042–$4,000†‡ | $1,555†‡ | $23,089 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 35 | $1,108–$3,750† | $2,040† | $40,273 |
† 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 | 2012 | $40,273 |
| Photography | 2013 | $23,089 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $10,320 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $10,320 |
| Works on Paper | 2012 | $4,750 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $500† |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a William Christenberry worth?
Across 86 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William Christenberry work is $2,250. The median William Christenberry photograph sells for $1,912 across 65 lots. The median William Christenberry print sells for $5,250 across 12 lots. The median William Christenberry work on paper sells for $2,625 across 2 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) William Christenberry photographs typically sell for $1,108–$3,750 (the middle half of 35 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) William Christenberry photographs typically sell for $1,042–$4,000 (the middle half of 29 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 William Christenberry photograph?
Based on 65 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a William Christenberry photograph is $1,912. 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 William Christenberry's most expensive photograph?
The highest price recorded at auction for a William Christenberry photograph is $40,273.
What is the average price of a William Christenberry print?
Based on 12 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a William Christenberry print is $5,250. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is William Christenberry's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a William Christenberry print is $10,320.
What is the average price of a medium William Christenberry photograph?
Based on 35 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium William Christenberry photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $2,040, 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 William Christenberry photograph?
Based on 29 sold lots, the median auction price of a small William Christenberry photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,555, 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 William Christenberry's auction record?
William Christenberry's auction record is $40,273, set in 2012.
See the full William Christenberry record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View William Christenberry on OpeningBid →