Benson Dry Plate & Cameraco. Essanbee
The Essanbee is a camera produced by Benson Dry Plate & Camera Co. It is a historical American-made model, of interest primarily to collectors of early dry-plate era equipment.
Sales evidence for the Essanbee at UK auction is extremely thin: the only recorded hammer result on file is £480 from April 2018, achieved at saleroom level before commission. With just one data point, today's value for an Essanbee can only be benchmarked against that single sale, and what one is worth in 2026 will depend heavily on condition, completeness and bidder interest on the day. Buyers asking how much an Essanbee sells for should treat the £480 figure as indicative rather than a reliable market price.
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: April 2018
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2018 | £480 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 1261) Title: A Benson Sharp 'The Essanbee' Automatic Ferrotype Camera
Description:
1901, lacking lens, body, G-VG; Maker's plate to front 'The Essanbee Automatic Ferrotype Camera, Pat. No. 164.422, Benson Sharp, 39 Levens Grove, |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Benson Essanbee camera worth today?
The only verified UK auction record on file is a £480 hammer price from 2018, so a comparable example might achieve a similar figure, though with a single data point the true market value is uncertain.
How much does an Essanbee sell for at auction?
The recorded sale price is £480 at UK auction (hammer, before commission); actual results for any given example will vary considerably with condition and completeness.
Are Essanbee cameras rare?
Public auction records for the model are very sparse, which suggests examples appear on the market only occasionally.