Debrie Parvo K
The Debrie Parvo K is a French-made cine camera, part of the Parvo series of compact wooden-bodied 35mm motion picture cameras produced by Établissements Debrie of Paris in the early twentieth century. It was designed for professional cinematography and is hand-cranked.
Sales evidence for the Parvo K is thin, so any value figure carries caveats. The single recorded UK auction hammer result we hold sits at £3,000 in 2018, which gives a wholesale saleroom benchmark rather than a retail price; condition, completeness of the wooden case, and originality of internal mechanisms drive what a Parvo K sells for today.
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 2025
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Nov 2025 | £1,188 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 493) Title: A Debrie Parvo Model K 35mm Motion Picture Camera
Description:
with E. Krauss Tessar Zeiss f/3.5 50mm lens, black, serial no. 144651, body, F, untested, lens, G, some internal haze |
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| Mar 2018 | EUR 3,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 32 (Lot AI_32_35917) Title: Debrie Parvo K
Description:
classic 35mm motion picture camera in very fine working condition, with three lenses: Tessar 3.5/4cm no.564892, Pan-Tachar 2.3/50mm no.29492, uncommon Contrast Tachar 2.3/50mm no.6518, set of Kodak soft focus filters, Askania variable hood Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| May 2011 | EUR 2,500 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 19 (Lot AI_19_12916) Title: Debrie Parvo K 'Der dritte Mann'
Description:
The Parvo was one of the most popular professional cameras, its compact design and its reliability made it the first choice for newsreel as well as for feature films. The camera is part of the estate of the late Austrian film producer Kurt Miksch and according to him it was used in the world-famous movie 'The Thrid Man'. It has a extremely accurate film movement and could also be used to shoot in reverse. The camera has never been restored and is in the original used condition. It comes with a Krauss Paris Tessar 3.5/75mm no.122043, an attached electric motor and a case of 6 magazines. Estimate: EUR 5,000 - EUR 6,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Debrie Parvo K worth?
On the limited UK auction data available, a Parvo K has a recorded hammer price of £3,000, but with only one sale on file this should be treated as indicative rather than a firm market value.
How much does a Debrie Parvo K sell for at auction?
The one tracked UK saleroom result fetched £3,000 at hammer, excluding buyer's premium; price in practice depends heavily on cosmetic condition and mechanical completeness.
Is the Debrie Parvo K a stills camera?
No. The Parvo K is a 35mm motion picture (cine) camera, not a still camera, which is why it appeals primarily to cinema-history collectors rather than general photographic buyers.