Anthony Schmid's Patent Detective Camera
The Anthony Schmid's Patent Detective Camera is a 19th-century American-made detective camera, a class of compact view cameras designed to be inconspicuous in use. It is associated with E. & H. T. Anthony, one of the largest US photographic suppliers of the period, and survives today primarily as a collector's item rather than a working photographic tool.
At UK auction, hammer prices for the Schmid's Patent Detective Camera have ranged from roughly £5,500 to £7,000, with both recorded saleroom results sitting within that band — wholesale levels achieved before buyer's and seller's commission. With only two tracked sales, today's value depends heavily on completeness, originality and condition, and individual results can sit well outside the recorded range. Buyers researching what one of these cameras is worth, or how much it sells for, should treat the figures as a guide rather than a firm market price.
Sales History
Prices shown are realised prices — auction results and completed eBay sales, never asking prices. Most saleroom figures are hammer prices, before commission; some houses publish a premium-inclusive figure, and we do not adjust for condition. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher. How this figure is calculated.
Prices updated: November 2018
| Date | Price | Value GBP | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2018 | EUR 3,000 | £2,644 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 33 (Lot AI_33_36972) Title: Schmid's Patent Detective Camera
Description:
very rare and historically important wooden detective camera for 4x5" plates, invented by William Schmid, New York, produced by T. Anthony; this was the first commercially produced hand-held camera, second model with folding handle and with focusing scale on the right side, in excellent original condition, incl. set of Waterhouse stops for the lens, matching Scovill wooden tripod, 5 double plate holders and Kodak rollfilm back Estimate: EUR 6,000 - EUR 7,000 |
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| Mar 2018 | EUR 5,500 | £4,856 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 32 (Lot AI_32_36103) Title: Schmid's Patent Detective Camera
Description:
very rare and historically important wooden detective camera for 3 1/4x4 1/4" plates, invented by William Schmid, New York, produced by T.Anthony, this was the first commercially produced hand-held camera, second model with folding handle in beautiful, never restored original condition Estimate: EUR 5,000 - EUR 6,000 |
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| May 2010 | EUR 7,000 | £6,000 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 17 (Lot AI_17_11555) Title: Schmid's Patent Detective Camera
Description:
very rare wooden box-form camera for plates 3 1/4x4 1/4", invented by William Schmid, New York - the camera was produced by T.Anthony, New York. It is the first commercially in America produced hand-held camera, this model with handle and in very fine and fully original condition Estimate: EUR 10,000 - EUR 12,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is an Anthony Schmid's Patent Detective Camera worth today?
Recorded UK auction hammer results sit between about £5,500 and £7,000, though with only two tracked sales the price for any individual example can vary widely with condition and completeness.
How much does a Schmid's Patent Detective Camera sell for at auction?
The two tracked saleroom results are £5,500 (2018) and £7,000 (2010), both hammer prices excluding buyer's and seller's commission.
Is the Schmid's Patent Detective Camera a usable camera or a collector's piece?
Its value today is collector-driven; surviving examples are bought for display and historical interest rather than for active photographic use.