Bell & Howell 2709 (1912)
The Bell & Howell 2709 is a 35mm professional cine camera introduced in 1912. It was built as a precision motion picture camera for studio and newsreel use, with an all-metal body intended for industry production rather than amateur shooting.
Survivors are scarce and rarely come up in the saleroom, so price discovery is thin. The single recorded UK auction hammer result in our data is £840 from a 2006 Christie's sale — a wholesale-level result, since hammer prices exclude buyer's premium. As of today in 2026 there is not enough recent activity to publish a reliable median or range, and what a 2709 is worth at auction now will depend heavily on completeness, mechanical condition and provenance.
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: November 2006
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Nov 2006 | £840 | Christie's | |
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Auction: Cameras, Photographs and Optical Toys (Lot 95) Title: Model 2709 un-numbered
Description:
Model 2709 un-numbered Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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| Nov 2006 | £1,020 | Christie's | |
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Auction: Cameras, Photographs and Optical Toys (Lot 94) Title: Model 2709 no. 268
Description:
Model 2709 no. 268 Estimate: £800 - £1,000 |
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| May 2005 | £1,320 | Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS, PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT AND OPTICAL TOYS INCLUDING (Lot 54) Title: Model 2709 cinematographic camera no. 1109
Description:
Model 2709 cinematographic camera no. 1109 Estimate: £1,000 - £1,500 |
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| Oct 2001 | £1,175 | Christie's | |
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Auction: MOTION PICTURE CAMERAS (Lot 77) Title: Bell & Howell studio camera model 2709, circa 1912
Description:
Bell & Howell studio camera model 2709, circa 1912 Estimate: £1,000 - £1,500 |
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| Jul 1998 | £1,265 | Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 16) Title: B & H 2709 ciné camera
Description:
B & H 2709 ciné camera Estimate: £2,000 - £3,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Bell & Howell 2709 worth today?
Auction data is extremely limited; the one verified UK hammer price on record is £840, but condition, completeness and provenance can move the value substantially in either direction.
How much does a Bell & Howell 2709 sell for at auction?
With only a single recorded UK hammer result of £840 from Christie's, there is no reliable current price range — sales of this 1912 cine camera are rare events rather than a regular market.
Why does the price and value of a 2709 vary so much?
Because so few examples come to market, each sale is shaped by that specific camera's mechanical condition, whether magazines and lenses are included, and any documented production history.