William S. Burroughs
American · 1914–1997
William Seward Burroughs II was an American writer and visual artist. He is widely considered a primary figure of the Beat Generation and a postmodern author who influenced… (Wikipedia)
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Record prices
Screaming GhostLos Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA) · $21,250≈ £15,894≈ €18,079Sign up to see
Blue MunyLos Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA) · $13,970≈ £10,288≈ €12,049Sign up to see
ShotgunPalm Beach Modern Auctions · $7,500≈ £5,326≈ €6,187Sign up to see
William S. Burroughs’s highest prices recorded at auction, ranked in US dollars at each sale-date exchange rate and shown in the currency of the sale (with the buyer’s premium where the house publishes it).
ArtSell has recorded 10 auction results for William S. Burroughs between 2008 and 2025, of which 9 sold (90%). Recorded sale prices range from $469Sign up free to see to $21.3kSign up free to see. The highest price recorded is $21.3kSign up free to see for Screaming Ghost at Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA) in June 2018. Most results come from Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA) (5), Bonhams (3) and Palm Beach Modern Auctions (1).
10 results
- Blue Muny, c. 1990$13,970≈ £10,288≈ €12,049Sign up free to see
- Sold
- Sold
- $7,500≈ £5,326≈ €6,187Sign up free to see
- Screaming Ghost, 1982$21,250≈ £15,894≈ €18,079Sign up free to see
- Untitled, c. 1980$469≈ £333≈ €425Sign up free to see
- Mr. Bradley / Mr. Martin, 1982$1,200≈ £799≈ €948Sign up free to see
- $1,920≈ £1,278≈ €1,517Sign up free to see
- September 17, 1899, 1982$1,440≈ £958≈ €1,138Sign up free to see
- Going Away - Where?, 1990Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. $4,000–6,000
William S. Burroughs: quick facts
What is the highest price paid for a work by William S. Burroughs at auction?
$21,250Sign up free to see, for Screaming Ghost at Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA) (June 2018) — the highest price in ArtSell’s records.
What is a typical auction price for William S. Burroughs?
The median sale price is $1.9kSign up free to see across 7 priced sales. Prices vary by medium, size and date — see the price chart & statistics.
How many works by William S. Burroughs have sold at auction?
9 of 10 recorded lots sold between 2008 and 2025.
Which auction houses sell William S. Burroughs?
Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA), Bonhams and Palm Beach Modern Auctions account for the most recorded results. Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA) · Bonhams · Palm Beach Modern Auctions
William S. Burroughs signature
4 catalogued lots by William S. Burroughs record a signature line. Most often: signed.
Placement
Form
Signed to the bottom edge, titled and dated to the reverse, with a description of the history of the piece on a page affixed t
— Going Away - Where?, Circle Auction, Oct 25, 2025Signed and inscribed
— September 17, 1899, Bonhams, Nov 18, 2008Signed
— Knotholes and Bulletholes, Bonhams, Nov 18, 2008
About William S. Burroughs
William Seward Burroughs II was an American writer and visual artist. He is widely considered a primary figure of the Beat Generation and a postmodern author who influenced underground and popular culture and literature. Much of Burroughs's work is experimental and features unreliable narrators. Also noted as semi-autobiographical, his work often drew from his experiences with drug addiction, and featured his various places of residence as settings in much of his work. With Brion Gysin, Burroughs popularized the cut-up, an aleatory literary technique. His writing also engaged frequent mystical, occult, or otherwise magical themes, constant preoccupations in his fiction and real life.
From Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.