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

# William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare is a British (modern) artist with 53 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $4,273. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by William Shakespeare sold in 2025 for $8,619, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a William Shakespeare work worth?

Across 48 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William Shakespeare work is $4,273.

The median William Shakespeare photograph sells for $3,197 across 14 lots.

The median William Shakespeare print sells for $3,683 across 14 lots.

The median William Shakespeare work on paper sells for $6,573 across 5 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 | $3,683 | $197,193 | 93.3% | 2025-07-10 |
| Works on Paper | 5 | $6,573 | $62,444 | — | 2019-12-11 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2 | $51,712 | $98,596 | — | 2023-12-12 |
| Photography | 17 | $3,197 | $103,700 | 82.4% | 2021-06-24 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $146,401 | $197,193 | — | 2025-07-10 |

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 14 | $3,163–$12,235 | $3,683 | $197,193 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $6,244–$26,292 | $6,573 | $62,444 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $197,193 |
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $180,760 |
| Photography | 2009 | $103,700 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2019 | $98,596 |
| Works on Paper | 2019 | $62,444 |
| Photography | 2009 | $35,216 |
| Works on Paper | 2019 | $26,292 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2023 | $4,828 |

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 Shakespeare worth?

Across 48 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William Shakespeare work is $4,273. The median William Shakespeare photograph sells for $3,197 across 14 lots. The median William Shakespeare print sells for $3,683 across 14 lots. The median William Shakespeare work on paper sells for $6,573 across 5 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 Shakespeare photograph?

Based on 14 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a William Shakespeare photograph is $3,197.

### What is William Shakespeare's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a William Shakespeare photograph is $103,700.

### What is the average price of a William Shakespeare print?

Based on 14 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a William Shakespeare print is $3,683.

### What is William Shakespeare's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a William Shakespeare print is $197,193.

### What is the average price of a small William Shakespeare print?

Based on 14 sold lots, the median auction price of a small William Shakespeare print (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,683, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is William Shakespeare's auction record?

William Shakespeare's auction record is $197,193, set in 2019.

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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 Shakespeare auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-shakespeare (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.