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Contessa Argus

The Contessa Argus is an early 20th-century plate camera produced by Contessa-Nettel, the German manufacturer based in Stuttgart that merged into Zeiss Ikon in 1926. As a folding plate camera from this period, it sits in the antique segment of the collector market rather than among working-use vintage cameras.

Sales evidence for the Contessa Argus is extremely thin: a single UK auction hammer result of £600 from December 2009 is the only data point on file, so a meaningful current price range cannot be quoted today. Anyone trying to work out what a Contessa Argus is worth in 2026 should treat that figure as historical context only and seek fresh comparables, since auction-hammer values for niche pre-Zeiss-Ikon plate cameras are highly condition-sensitive and turn over infrequently.

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.

Date Price Source
May 2013 EUR 600 Leitz Auction
Dec 2009 EUR 600 Leitz Auction