Beck Frena No.2
The Beck Frena No.2 is a late-Victorian British roll-film detective camera, produced in the 1890s and sold as a compact, concealable option for amateur photographers of the period. It was positioned as an everyday snapshot camera rather than a professional instrument.
At recent UK auction, Beck Frena No.2 hammer prices have ranged from about £20 to £56, with the two recorded sales averaging in the mid-£30s — a wholesale saleroom level rather than a retail figure. As of 2026, what a Frena No.2 is worth today varies sharply with cosmetic condition and completeness, and clean, complete examples tend to sell for the upper end of that band.
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: August 2024
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2024 | £20 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: TWO DAY: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 398) Title: A R J Beck Frena No. 2 Camera
Description:
A R J Beck Frena No. 2 Camera, with brass level bubbles top & side, shutter not cocking, mechanics move freely, body G-VG, all levels intact, with |
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| Jun 2024 | £35 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 40) Title: A Beck Frena No 2 Camera
Description:
A Beck Frena No 2 Camera, shutter sticking, body G, elements G |
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| Jun 2022 | £56 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 659) Title: A Beck Frena No.2 Detective Camera
Description:
black, body G-VG, shutter working, inner material in G condition, optics F-G, some haze & fungus present, (Qty: 1) |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Beck Frena No.2 worth today?
Based on UK auction hammer results, a Beck Frena No.2 has sold for between roughly £20 and £56, placing typical value in the £20–£60 range depending on condition.
How much does a Beck Frena No.2 sell for at auction?
Recorded UK saleroom results show the camera selling for £20 in 2024 and £56 in 2022, so recent hammer prices sit in the low tens of pounds.
What affects the price of a Beck Frena No.2?
Condition of the wood and covering, completeness of the internal film sheaths, and working shutter and lens are the main factors that push the value toward the upper end of the observed range.