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Contessa Sonnet Tropen (Tropical) (6.5x9)

The Contessa Sonnet Tropen (Tropical) in 6.5x9 cm format is a folding plate camera built for use in hot and humid climates. Tropical models of this era were typically finished in teak or polished hardwood with brown leather bellows and brass fittings, distinguishing them from standard black-leather variants.

UK auction hammer results for the Sonnet Tropen 6.5x9 are thin, with recorded sales of £420 and £700 — a wholesale range at saleroom level that excludes buyer's and seller's commission. With only two data points spanning more than a decade, today's value of a clean example is difficult to pin down precisely, and condition of the wood, bellows and brass is the dominant price driver.

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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: May 2020

Date Price Source
May 2020 £270 Flints Auctions
Mar 2018 EUR 700 Leitz Auction
May 2010 EUR 500 Leitz Auction
May 2007 EUR 420 Leitz Auction

Frequently asked questions

What is a Contessa Sonnet Tropen 6.5x9 worth today?

Based on the limited UK auction record, hammer prices have ranged from £420 to £700, so a complete working example sits broadly within that range depending on cosmetic and mechanical condition.

How much does a Contessa Sonnet Tropen sell for at auction?

Recorded UK saleroom results for the 6.5x9 Tropen sit between £420 and £700 at the hammer, before commission is added.

Why does the Tropical version carry a price premium?

Tropical folding cameras were produced in smaller numbers than standard black-leather models, and the teak-and-brass construction is more collectible, which supports the higher end of the observed price range.

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