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Pretty penn-y for pix

In life, legendary photographer Irving Penn’s work commanded top dollar. In death, it’s going through the roof — and fast.

Auctions of 14 of some of his lesser-known photographs yesterday took in nearly half a million dollars — just a day after he passed away at age 92.

In all, the images took in $492,850, which more than doubled auction house Christie’s low estimate of $235,000.

“You can draw your own conclusions from the sale, but his market has been traditionally strong,” said Christie’s spokeswoman Milena Sales.

“His works are coveted by collectors worldwide, and he is highly in demand.”

The top seller yesterday was “Chimney Sweep, London,” which took in $74,500, blowing away the estimated take of $10,000 to $15,000.

Not far behind that was “Cuzco Newsboy,” from 1948, which raked in $72,100, beating its estimate of $15,000 to $25,000.

The world record for a Penn photograph was set at Christie’s in April 2008 with the sale of “Cuzco Children,” also from 1948, which went for $529,000.

Penn, famous for his collection of work that ranged from high fashion to ethnographic study, died Wednesday.

His vision of beauty moved seamlessly from photos of celebrated artists like Truman Capote and the top dancers from the 1940s through the 1970s to simple images of everyday people, like washerwomen and peasants.

Some of his images captured the sublime in everyday items — such as a stack of cigarette butts, or a pile of fish arranged in a pattern to look like a larger fish.

Other works that came in above their estimated value yesterday included 1977’s “Vionnet Dress with Fan,” which sold for $46,250, and 1970’s “Father, Son, Grandfather, New Guinea,” which went for $37,500.

They had been expected to sell for $25,000 to $35,000 and $20,000 to $30,000, respectively.

Only one Penn photo did not find a buyer — a 1948 picture of ballet dancers “Frederick Franklin and Alexandra Danilova,” which was on the block for $7,000 to $9,000.

lukas.alpert@nypost.com