Ernemann Minor Falling Plate
The Ernemann Minor Falling Plate is an early plate camera made by the German manufacturer Ernemann, designed to take glass dry plates loaded into a falling-plate magazine that advanced exposed plates to the bottom of the camera between shots. It dates from the late-19th to early-20th-century period of hand-cameras, when falling-plate designs were a common alternative to roll-film boxes for amateur photographers.
With only one tracked UK auction result, the Minor Falling Plate sells for around £110 at saleroom level, a hammer price that today reflects its position as a collector item rather than a user camera. Values for this model in 2026 are driven primarily by cosmetic condition and completeness of the plate magazine, so the price a given example is worth can shift sharply with shutter function and case originality.
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | £110 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 6) Title: An Ernemann Minor Falling Plate Camera
Description:
An Ernemann Minor Falling Plate Camera, early wood body model. Serial no 23468, shutter working, falling plate mechanism working, body G, elements G, |
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Frequently asked questions
What is an Ernemann Minor Falling Plate worth today?
Based on UK auction data, an Ernemann Minor Falling Plate is worth around £110 at hammer, with the actual value of any individual example depending heavily on cosmetic condition and whether the plate magazine is intact.
How much does an Ernemann Minor Falling Plate sell for at auction?
The most recent tracked UK saleroom result was £110 in late 2025, which is the only verified hammer price currently in our dataset for this model.
Is the Ernemann Minor Falling Plate a usable camera?
It is primarily a collector's piece; using it requires sourcing or cutting glass dry plates and trusting a century-old shutter, so most buyers at this price level acquire it for display rather than active photography.