> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-s-burroughs · updated 2026-11-01

# William S. Burroughs (1914–1997)

## What is William S. Burroughs’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 49 auction results for William S. Burroughs at 10 houses since 1995. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,032 including buyer’s premium (middle half $792–$11,000, n=5). The auction record is $21,250 for Screaming Ghost (2018, Los Angeles Modern Auctions). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Screaming Ghost, 1982 | Graphite | $21,250 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Jun 2018 |
| 2 | Blue Muny, 1990 | Acrylic paint | $13,970 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Jun 2025 |
| 3 | Drunk Cop; Don't Take Me For Dumber | I. felt pen and gun shots on paperII. inks on paper | $12,500 | Sotheby's | Sep 2010 |
| 4 | Blue Muny, 1990 | Acrylic on paper | $11,000 | Wright | Jun 2025 |
| 5 | Bits and Pieces II [Un peu de tout II] | Collage de 13 photographies, gouaches et aquarelles sur papier, montées sur un carton | $10,535 | Artcurial | Feb 2012 |
| 6 | SHOOT YOUR WAY TO FREEDOM, KID, 1982 | Collage | $9,450 | Sotheby's | Oct 2020 |
| 7 | Cat Door, 1987 | Ink and paper collage on oaktag paper | $5,670 | Sotheby's | Oct 2020 |
| 8 | The Face on the Mars room floor [Le Visage sur le plancher de Mars], 1988 | Technique mixte et collage sur carton | $5,268 | Artcurial | Feb 2012 |
| 9 | Shotgun Art | Spray paint on wood | $5,000 | Clars Auction Gallery | Dec 2022 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Seven Deadly Sins, 1914 | Painted wood | $5,856 | Bonhams | May 2011 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 11 | $1,600 |
| Other | 31 | $750 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 12 | $5,469 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $1,625 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 49 results from 10 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


William S. Burroughs is an American artist with 59 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $1,125. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by William S. Burroughs sold in 2026 for $2,032, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a William S. Burroughs work worth?

Across 46 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William S. Burroughs work is $1,125.

The median William S. Burroughs work on paper sells for $4,074 across 10 lots.

The median William S. Burroughs print sells for $2,814 across 5 lots.

The median William S. Burroughs painting sells for $7,798 across 2 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 | 8 | $2,814† | $5,856 | 62.5% | 2026-02-05 |
| Paintings | 2 | $7,798 | $13,970 | — | 2025-06-12 |
| Works on Paper | 10 | $4,074 | $21,250 | — | 2023-12-08 |
| Photography | 2 | $10,535 | $10,535 | 50% | 2012-02-14 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $13,970 | $21,250 | — | 2025-06-12 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

William S. Burroughs's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (8 lots) median $2,814 with 62.5% sell-through. Paintings (2 lots) median $7,798, record $13,970. A typical William S. Burroughs painting sells for around 2.8× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 3 lots) the median is $13,970.

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $5,268–$9,450 | $5,670 | $21,250 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $21,250 |
| Paintings | 2025 | $13,970 |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $12,500 |
| Photography | 2012 | $10,535 |
| Prints & Editions | 2011 | $5,856 |
| Prints & Editions | 2017 | $4,680 |
| Paintings | 2011 | $1,625 |

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 S. Burroughs worth?

Across 46 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William S. Burroughs work is $1,125. The median William S. Burroughs work on paper sells for $4,074 across 10 lots. The median William S. Burroughs print sells for $2,814 across 5 lots. The median William S. Burroughs painting sells for $7,798 across 2 lots. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is William S. Burroughs's auction record?

William S. Burroughs's auction record is $21,250, set in 2018.

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Data last updated 2026-11-01. OpeningBid tracks 15,222,099 auction lots from 571 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “William S. Burroughs auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-s-burroughs (updated 2026-11-01).

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.