Buisson Detective Camera
The Buisson Detective Camera is a 19th-century French detective-style camera, a category of compact box cameras designed to be used inconspicuously rather than on a tripod. Buisson was a Parisian maker active in the late 1800s, and the Detective Camera sits within the broader European wave of disguised and concealed plate cameras of that era.
Auction evidence for this model is extremely thin: a single recorded UK saleroom result from 2015 shows a hammer price of £1,200, which gives a rough indication of value today rather than a reliable market range. Because only one wholesale auction result is on file, what a Buisson Detective Camera sells for in 2026 will depend heavily on condition, completeness and the specific buyer interest on the day. Treat the £1,200 figure as an isolated reference point rather than a settled 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: November 2015
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2015 | EUR 1,200 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 28 (Lot AI_28_33006) Title: Buisson Detective Camera
Description:
very rare French detective magazine camera for 9x12cm plates, uncommon focusing system with only the top of the front moving, very good condition with minimal flaws in the wood, unmarked brass lens in working Buisson shutter Estimate: EUR 1,400 - EUR 1,600 |
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| Mar 2004 | £657 | Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT - THE PROPERTY OF A COLLE (Lot 240) Title: Detective hand camera no. 378
Description:
Detective hand camera no. 378 Estimate: £300 - £500 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Buisson Detective Camera worth today?
Auction data is very limited, but the one recorded UK hammer result stands at £1,200, so that figure is the best available reference for what the camera is worth, subject to condition and completeness.
How much does a Buisson Detective Camera sell for at auction?
Only a single UK auction sale is on record, at £1,200 hammer in 2015; with so few data points, the price a given example sells for can vary substantially either side of that figure.
Why is the price and value so hard to pin down?
Buisson detective cameras appear at auction only rarely, and with just one verified sale in our history there is not enough data to quote a reliable median or range.