George Hurrell Auction Prices and Value Guide

George Hurrell auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 1,496 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.

George Hurrell auction prices: quick answer

George Hurrell auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.

Artist
George Hurrell
Source records
1,496
Market update
2026-02-06

George Hurrell market snapshot

George Hurrell shows deep auction liquidity with 322 tracked lots. Median realized sale is around $600. Category concentration is still broad or sparse. Last 12 months recorded 29 sales. Latest recorded sale: 2025-12-13.

Realized price distribution

  • Under $1,000 (59.8% · 128 sales)
  • $1,000 to $10,000 (38.8% · 83 sales)
  • $10,000+ (1.4% · 3 sales)
Median sale (last 12 months)
$200
Sales recorded (last 12 months)
29
Median shift vs prior year
0.0%
Latest recorded sale
2025-12-13

Artist context

About George Hurrell

Born

1904

Died

1992

Nationality

American

George Hurrell (1904–1992) was an American photographer closely associated with the visual language of classic Hollywood glamour. Authority records identify him as a photographer and specialist in portraits of film stars, while biographical sources place his defining contribution in the 1930s and 1940s. His carefully staged celebrity images helped establish a polished, dramatic public image for Hollywood performers. Black-and-white portraiture is central to this reputation, with lighting, pose, costume, expression, and tonal contrast working together to create an idealized screen presence. Collectors commonly encounter Hurrell through photographic prints depicting actors and other entertainment figures, including images connected with the studio era. His institutional and authority profiles—including records maintained by MoMA, Getty ULAN, VIAF, IdRef, and Wikidata—help distinguish his work and identity across museum, library, auction, and search systems.

Hollywood glamour photographyBlack-and-white photographyPortrait photographyHollywood film stars and performersCelebrity glamour portraits

Common works and media

Works encountered in appraisal and auction settings are principally photographs and photographic prints, especially black-and-white glamour portraits of Hollywood actors and other performers. Relevant distinctions may include vintage versus later printing, print dimensions, photographic process, signed or inscribed examples, edition information, and the identity or desirability of the sitter. These characteristics should be verified for each object rather than inferred solely from the depicted image.

Market and appraisal context

A George Hurrell appraisal should compare photographs with closely related examples rather than rely on an artist-wide average. Relevant details include the sitter, image date, print date, dimensions, photographic process, condition, signature or inscriptions, edition information, provenance, and attribution confidence. Exhibition history and catalogue references can provide additional context. Public auction records help establish comparable results, but reporting conventions vary: some totals may include buyer premiums or fees, while others may not. Private transactions and incomplete feeds are also outside many public datasets. These limitations make physical examination, authentication evidence, and a clear account of the print's production history important to a final valuation.

Auction categories and appraisal factors

Common auction categories

  • Photographs and photographic prints
  • Hollywood celebrity portraits

Value drivers

  1. Medium, print size, image date, and period within Hurrell's career
  2. Condition, restoration history, and surface quality
  3. Signature, inscriptions, edition details, and attribution confidence
  4. Provenance, exhibition history, and catalogue references
  5. Subject matter, rarity, current demand, and comparable public auction sales
  6. Whether reported auction totals include buyer premiums or other fees

Appraisal caveats

  • Public auction records are a starting point rather than a final appraisal.
  • Private sales, incomplete auction feeds, and later attribution changes may not be represented.
  • Authentication, print history, edition status, and condition can materially affect an individual photograph's appraisal.
  • Reported prices should be compared on a like-for-like basis because auction totals may differ in their treatment of buyer premiums and fees.

Evidence

Sources for artist context

This source-grounded artist context passed Appraisily's promotion threshold: high confidence, strong sources.

Source-grounded artist Markdown

Data basis

This page is built from Appraisily's public auction market index. Private transactions, incomplete sale feeds, and attribution changes may not be fully represented.

LLM-readable Markdown summary for George Hurrell

LLM summary index · LLM full index

Artist value FAQ

How much is George Hurrell worth?

Comparable public auction sales are the best starting point, but final value depends on the specific artwork, condition, size, medium, provenance, and attribution confidence.

Can Appraisily value my George Hurrell artwork?

Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.