Chicago Camera Co. Photake
The Photake is an early camera produced by the Chicago Camera Co., dating from the late 19th century. It is a collector-grade piece rather than a working user camera, and appears in the UK auction market only rarely.
At UK auction today, hammer prices for the Photake have ranged from roughly £1,000 to £2,600 based on just two recorded sales, with a midpoint near £1,800. With so few saleroom results, what a Photake is worth and the price it sells for depend heavily on condition, completeness and originality, and the value of any individual example can move sharply outside this 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: November 2015
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Nov 2015 | EUR 2,800 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 28 (Lot AI_28_33100) Title: Chicago Camera Co. Photake
Description:
Seamless cylindrical camera for 5 exposures 5x5cm on plates, Achromat lens 14/120mm, rare and unusual. Designed by Henry E. Willsie of La Crosse Wisconsin. His camera was granted U.S. Patent 586,422 on the 29th September 1896 and was manufactured by the Chicago Camera Co., Illiniois, in beautiful fully original condition with finder and three 5x5cm glass plates Estimate: EUR 1,500 - EUR 2,000 |
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| May 2010 | EUR 1,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 17 (Lot AI_17_11395) Title: Chicago Camera Co. Photake
Description:
Seamless cylindrical camera for 5 exposures 5x5cm on plates, Achromat lens 14/120mm, rare and unusual. Designed by Henry E. Willsie of La Crosse Wisconsin. His camera was granted U.S. Patent 586,422 on the 29th September 1896 and was manufactured by the Chicago Camera Co., Illiniois, in beautiful fully original condition with finder Estimate: EUR 1,800 - EUR 2,200 |
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| Nov 2008 | EUR 2,600 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 14 (Lot AI_14_17752) Title: Chicago Camera Co. Photake
Description:
Seamless cylindrical camera for 5 exposures 5x5cm on plates, Achromat lens 14/120mm, rare and unusual. Designed by Henry E. Willsie of La Crosse Wisconsin. His camera was granted U.S. Patent 586,422 on the 29th September 1896 and was manufactured by the Chicago Camera Co., Illiniois, in fantastic and fully original condition with finder, instructions, original print paper, wooden maker's box - ex Naylor collection Estimate: EUR 3,500 - EUR 4,500 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Photake worth at UK auction?
The two recorded UK hammer results sit at £1,000 and £2,600, so a realistic expectation today is somewhere in that wide band depending on condition and completeness.
How much does a Chicago Camera Co. Photake sell for?
Recent saleroom evidence is limited, but examples have sold for between £1,000 and £2,600 at hammer, with price heavily dependent on originality.