Ansco Memo (wood body)
The Ansco Memo (wood body) is an early 35mm half-frame still camera produced by Ansco of Binghamton, New York. Its construction uses a wooden body shell, distinguishing it from later metal-bodied Ansco cameras and placing it among the earlier generation of compact 35mm designs aimed at amateur photographers.
Auction evidence for the wood-body Memo is extremely thin: a single recorded UK auction hammer result of £179 from 2004 is all that anchors its current value in the saleroom. With only one wholesale data point and no recent comparables through 2026, today's price for what one sells for is best treated as indicative rather than a firm market range, and condition of the wood shell will heavily influence any result.
Sales History
Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2004 | £179 | Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 350) Title: Memo camera no. 1342
Description:
Memo camera no. 1342 Estimate: £200 - £300 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is an Ansco Memo (wood body) worth today?
Based on the limited auction record available, a wood-body Memo has hammered at around £179 at UK auction, though with only one sale on file the true market value in 2026 is uncertain and condition-dependent.
How much does an Ansco Memo (wood body) sell for at auction?
The only recorded UK hammer price in our data is £179, achieved at a Christie's sale; more recent comparable sales would be needed to give a reliable current price.
Why is the value hard to pin down?
Wood-body Memos appear infrequently at auction, so there is not enough sales history to establish a typical range; collector demand and the condition of the wooden shell drive most of the variation in what examples sell for.