Brins Patent camera
The Brins Patent camera is a British miniature/detective-style camera from the 19th century, produced as a novelty disguised concealment device rather than a general-purpose picture-taker. Its rarity and curiosity value have long placed it in the collector category rather than the user-camera market.
Auction evidence for the Brins Patent camera is extremely thin: a single UK saleroom result from November 2020 saw an example hammer at £12,000, and that figure remains the only public price point on which a value today can be anchored. Because only one sale is available, the camera's price today is best treated as indicative rather than a true market range, and condition, completeness and provenance would heavily influence what a comparable example sells for.
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 2020
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2020 | EUR 12,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 37 (Lot AI_37_38559) Title: Brins London Patent Detective Camera
Description:
Extremely rare miniature detective camera shaped like a spyglass with handle, it takes 25mm circular plates, with 3.5/3cm lens with a simple front shutter, the 100% original camera is in a complete, beautiful condition with film holder, viewfinder and handle Estimate: EUR 24,000 - EUR 26,000 |
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| Jun 2008 | EUR 22,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 13 (Lot AI_13_16804) Title: Brins London Patent Camera
Description:
extremely rare miniature detective camerain the form of an spyglass, takes 25mm circular plates, with 3.5/3cm lens in simple front shutter, the 100% original camera in complete, beautiful condition with film holder, viewfinder, handle, all in fitted wooden case stamped SWIFT & SON LONDON Estimate: EUR 35,000 - EUR 45,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Brins Patent camera worth today?
On the only available UK auction data point, a Brins Patent camera sold for £12,000 hammer in 2020; with just one record, that figure is the best available reference for its value rather than a reliable market range.
How much does a Brins Patent camera sell for at auction?
The single recorded UK hammer price is £12,000, achieved in November 2020. No further verified sales are available to confirm whether examples consistently sell for that price.
Why is the price reference based on only one sale?
The Brins Patent camera appears very infrequently at auction, so the sales history underpinning this page contains just one verified result, which limits how precisely a current value can be stated.