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

# William Christenberry (1936–2016)

## What is William Christenberry’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 12 | $3,600 |
| Photographs | 55 | $2,340 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 31 | $2,375 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 34 | $2,250 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 89 results from 19 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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 $3,250, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**3 William Christenberry works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-03).

- [William Christenberry on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-christenberry?ref=kg:william-christenberry) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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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, “William Christenberry auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-christenberry (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.