Beck Folding Frena
The Beck Folding Frena is an early British folding camera in the Frena series, a roll- and plate-style design from the late Victorian and Edwardian era. It was offered as a portable folding body aimed at amateur photographers when introduced.
At UK auction, hammer prices for the Folding Frena have spanned roughly £62 to £580 across the two recorded sales, with the midpoint sitting near £320. With such a thin sample, what a Folding Frena is worth today depends heavily on completeness and cosmetic condition, and a single clean example can sell for several times a tatty one.
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.
Prices updated: February 2024
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2024 | £62 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 195) Title: A Beck Folding Frena Camera
Description:
lacking lens and sounds like broken glass inside and unable to open the camera (AF) |
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| Nov 2023 | £575 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 184) Title: A Beck Folding Frena Camera
Description:
1901-05, black, with Beck-Steinheil Orthostigmat 4¼" lens, body, VG, shutter working, lens, VG, complete with ground glass screen, two DDS and |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Beck Folding Frena worth today?
Recent UK auction hammer results sit between about £62 and £580, so the value of a Folding Frena in 2026 depends almost entirely on condition and completeness.
How much does a Beck Folding Frena sell for at auction?
The two recorded UK auction sales price the camera at £62 and £575, giving a wide range rather than a settled market price.
Is the Beck Folding Frena a usable camera?
It is collectable rather than practical; original film and plate formats are no longer made, and the bellows and shutter on surviving examples are often tired.