Yousuf Karsh (1908–2002)
What is Yousuf Karsh’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 286 auction results for Yousuf Karsh at 39 houses since 1992. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,959 including buyer’s premium (middle half $890–$5,717, n=43). The auction record is $87,500 for Karsh--Fifteen Portraits (2016, Swann Auction Galleries). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Audrey Hepburn | Cartes-de-visite | $27,500 | Phillips | Apr 2016 |
| 2 | 'rt. -hon. winston churchill' | — | $20,000 | Sotheby's | Oct 2008 |
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karsh--Fifteen Portraits, 1983 | Silver prints | $87,500 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2016 |
| 2 | Winston Churchill, 1941 | Silver print, printed 1990, flush-mounted to card | $48,956 | Sotheby's | Mar 2021 |
| 3 | Fifteen Portraits, 1983 | Gelatin silver prints | $47,880 | Sotheby's | Oct 2022 |
| 4 | FIFTEEN PORTRAITS, 1983 | Portfolio of 15 oversized photographs, each mounted | $40,625 | Sotheby's | Oct 2009 |
| 5 | Fifteen Portraits, 1983 | Photographs | $40,625 | Sotheby's | Mar 2009 |
| 6 | Fifteen Portraits, 1983 | Gelatin silver prints | $37,812 | Bonhams | Apr 2021 |
| 7 | Winston Churchill, 1941, 1941 | Photograph | $24,443 | Sotheby's | Sep 2021 |
| 8 | Winston Churchill, 1941, 1941 | Silver print | $20,250 | Sotheby's | Mar 2022 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 6 | $5,250 |
| Photographs | 191 | $3,825 |
| Other | 21 | $1,600 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 86 | $4,388 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 112 | $3,085 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 286 results from 39 houses · How we compute these figures
Yousuf Karsh is a Canadian artist with 428 auction lots recorded since 1992, median price $3,500. 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 Yousuf Karsh sold in 2026 for $4,064, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Yousuf Karsh record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Yousuf Karsh on OpeningBid →What is a Yousuf Karsh work worth?
Across 285 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Yousuf Karsh work is $3,500.
The median Yousuf Karsh photograph sells for $3,750 across 249 lots.
The median Yousuf Karsh work on paper sells for $5,173 across 5 lots.
The median Yousuf Karsh print sells for $1,828 across 4 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Yousuf Karsh photographs typically sell for $1,415–$5,775 (the middle half of 115 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Yousuf Karsh photographs typically sell for $2,500–$8,200 (the middle half of 101 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 | 4 | $1,828 | $4,064 | — | 2026-10-15 |
| Works on Paper | 5 | $5,173 | $15,600 | — | 2019-10-17 |
| Photography | 313 | $3,750†‡ | $87,500 | 79.6% | 2026-10-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 15 | $24,443† | $87,500 | — | 2024-12-03 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Price by size
Photography
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 115 | $1,415–$5,775†‡ | $3,050†‡ | $48,956 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 101 | $2,500–$8,200†‡ | $4,400†‡ | $87,500 |
† 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 | 2016 | $87,500 |
| Photography | 2021 | $48,956 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $15,600 |
| Works on Paper | 2007 | $9,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $4,064 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $1,905 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Yousuf Karsh worth?
Across 285 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Yousuf Karsh work is $3,500. The median Yousuf Karsh photograph sells for $3,750 across 249 lots. The median Yousuf Karsh work on paper sells for $5,173 across 5 lots. The median Yousuf Karsh print sells for $1,828 across 4 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Yousuf Karsh photographs typically sell for $1,415–$5,775 (the middle half of 115 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Yousuf Karsh photographs typically sell for $2,500–$8,200 (the middle half of 101 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 Yousuf Karsh photograph?
Based on 249 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Yousuf Karsh photograph is $3,750. 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 Yousuf Karsh's most expensive photograph?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Yousuf Karsh photograph is $87,500.
What is the average price of a small Yousuf Karsh photograph?
Based on 115 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Yousuf Karsh photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,050, 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 the average price of a medium Yousuf Karsh photograph?
Based on 101 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Yousuf Karsh photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $4,400, 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 Yousuf Karsh's auction record?
Yousuf Karsh's auction record is $87,500, set in 2016.
See the full Yousuf Karsh record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Yousuf Karsh on OpeningBid →