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

# William H. Rau (1855–1920)

William H. Rau is an American artist with 21 auction lots recorded since 1992, median price $4,750.

A work by William H. Rau sold in 2020 for $5,500, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a William H. Rau work worth?

Across 19 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William H. Rau work is $4,750.

The median William H. Rau photograph sells for $4,750 across 19 lots.

The median William H. Rau print sells for $1,700 across 1 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 | 1 | $1,700 | $1,700 | — | 2008-05-15 |
| Photography | 21 | $4,750 | $9,000 | 90.5% | 2024-02-15 |

## Price by size

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 12 | $824–$5,505 | $1,208 | $5,800 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $4,750–$6,670 | $4,750 | $9,000 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2012 | $9,000 |
| Photography | 1994 | $6,670 |
| Prints & Editions | 2008 | $1,700 |

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 H. Rau worth?

Across 19 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William H. Rau work is $4,750. The median William H. Rau photograph sells for $4,750 across 19 lots. The median William H. Rau print sells for $1,700 across 1 lots. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a William H. Rau photograph?

Based on 19 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a William H. Rau photograph is $4,750.

### What is William H. Rau's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a William H. Rau photograph is $9,000.

### What is the average price of a medium William H. Rau photograph?

Based on 12 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium William H. Rau photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,208, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is William H. Rau's auction record?

William H. Rau's auction record is $9,000, set in 2012.

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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 H. Rau auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-h-rau (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.