Bellieni Jumelle
The Bellieni Jumelle is an early French jumelle-style stereo and plate camera, built in the binocular-shaped format that was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was produced by the Bellieni workshop in Nancy and was positioned as a discreet hand camera for amateur use of its era.
UK auction hammer results for the Bellieni Jumelle are thin, with recorded sales spanning roughly £63 to £210 at saleroom level — wholesale prices that exclude buyer's and seller's premium. As of 2026, what a Jumelle is worth today varies sharply with completeness and cosmetic condition, and a clean, fully-fitted example sells for materially more than a stripped or damaged body.
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: May 2020
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| May 2020 | £208 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science (Lot 181) Title: A Bellieni Jumelle 9x12cm Camera
Description:
A Bellieni Jumelle 9x12cm Camera, 1896-1902, black, serial no. 1835, with Carl Zeiss Jena Anastigmat f/8 136mm lens, serial no. 34312, body, G-VG, |
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| May 1998 | £63 | Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 463) Title: Jumelle no. 60
Description:
Jumelle no. 60 Estimate: £100 - £150 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Bellieni Jumelle worth today?
Recorded UK auction hammer prices for the Bellieni Jumelle sit in the region of £63 to £210, with value heavily dependent on condition and completeness.
How much does a Bellieni Jumelle sell for at auction?
Documented sales show the camera selling for £63 in 1998 and £208 in 2020 at UK salerooms, both figures being hammer prices before commission.
Why does the price vary so much?
Jumelle-type cameras are condition-sensitive: intact leather, working shutter, clear optics and original plate holders all push the price toward the upper end of the range.