Ernemann Tropen Klapp-Camera (1911)
The Ernemann Tropen Klapp-Camera is a tropical folding plate camera introduced in 1911, built by the Dresden maker Ernemann for use in hot and humid climates. Tropical-finish cameras of this period typically used teak or polished hardwood bodies with light-coloured leather bellows, positioning the model as a higher-grade field camera when new.
With only one verified UK auction record on file, hammer prices for the Ernemann Tropen Klapp-Camera are difficult to pin down, but the available saleroom result of £320 (2008) gives a baseline for what a presentable example sells for. Today the value of any given camera will hinge heavily on the condition of the wood, leather and bellows, and a 2026 buyer should treat that figure as indicative rather than a firm market price.
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2008 | EUR 320 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 13 (Lot AI_13_16716) Title: Ernemann Tropen Klapp
Description:
10x15cm, teak body, Ernemann no.1a 6.8/150mm no.19297, focal-plane shutter needs repair, tan leather bellows and matching focusing screen adapter Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 800 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is an Ernemann Tropen Klapp-Camera worth today?
Evidence is thin, but the one verified UK auction hammer result on file is £320, so a complete and presentable example sits in that broad area subject to condition.
How much does an Ernemann Tropen Klapp-Camera sell for at auction?
The single recorded UK saleroom result achieved a £320 hammer price, and with so few data points the realistic price for another example depends almost entirely on bellows, woodwork and shutter condition.
Why is the tropical version collectable?
Tropical-finish cameras were produced in smaller numbers than the standard black-leather versions, and their teak bodies and light bellows make them visually distinctive, which tends to support their value among collectors of pre-WWI German plate cameras.