Bloch Physio-Pocket
The Bloch Physio-Pocket is a late 19th-century detective-style pocket camera, designed to be carried discreetly for candid photography on dry plates. It predates roll-film hand cameras and is of interest primarily to collectors of early photographic apparatus rather than users.
Auction evidence for the Physio-Pocket is thin, but the two UK hammer results on record sit between £450 and £1,100 at saleroom level, with a midpoint around £780 (hammer, excluding commission). As of 2026 the small sample size means any single example's price is highly dependent on completeness, cosmetic condition and whether original accessories are present, so what one sells for can vary sharply from the headline range.
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: June 2019
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2019 | EUR 450 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 34 (Lot AI_34_37190) Title: Leon Bloch Paris Physiographe (Physio-Pocket)
Description:
rare monocular-shaped detective camera, Tessar 4.5/5.5cm no.249572, this basic design was later used in the Nettel Argus and Zeiss Ergo Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 800 |
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| Nov 2016 | EUR 1,100 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 30 (Lot AI_30_34548) Title: Leon Bloch Paris Physiograph (Physio-Pocket)
Description:
very early and rare monocular version in original condition with matching plate back, Roussel Stylor 4.5/54mm no.35727, very early serial number, this basic design was later used in the Nettel Argus and Zeiss Ergo Estimate: EUR 1,500 - EUR 1,600 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Bloch Physio-Pocket worth today?
Based on the limited UK auction record, a Bloch Physio-Pocket has sold for between £450 and £1,100 at hammer, so its value today sits broadly within that band depending on condition and completeness.
How much does a Bloch Physio-Pocket sell for at auction?
Recorded UK hammer prices are £450 and £1,100, giving an approximate midpoint around £780 before buyer's premium.
Why do prices vary so much?
With only two recorded sales, the price a given example sells for is driven almost entirely by condition, originality and the presence of accessories such as plate holders, rather than by a settled market value.