XML 52 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.6
Document and Entity Information
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Oct. 31, 2012
Class A Stock [Member]
Oct. 31, 2012
Class B Stock [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]      
Document Type 10-Q    
Amendment Flag false    
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2012    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2012    
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3    
Trading Symbol OPY    
Entity Registrant Name OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC    
Entity Central Index Key 0000791963    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   13,515,012 99,680