Ernemann Tropical Klapp
The Ernemann Tropical Klapp is a folding plate camera from the German manufacturer Ernemann, built in a tropical specification with teak woodwork and brass fittings intended to withstand humid climates. It dates from the early twentieth century, when Ernemann competed in the upper end of the European folding plate market before the firm was absorbed into Zeiss Ikon in 1926.
Sales evidence for the Tropical Klapp is thin: a single UK auction record from December 2021 shows a hammer price of £521, which is the only firm data point available for what a Tropical Klapp is worth today. Because that figure is a wholesale saleroom result rather than a retail asking price, dealer-listed examples typically sell for noticeably more, and condition of the teak, bellows and brasswork drives most of the variation in 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2021 | £521 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 687) Title: An Ernemann Tropical Klapp Camera
Description:
brass & teak, body G-VG, shutter untested, shutter curtains still present, with Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 15cm f/4.5, optics F-G, haze and fungus (Qty: 1) |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Jul 1998 | £195 | Christie's | |
|
Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 353) Title: Tropical klapp camera
Description:
Tropical klapp camera Estimate: £20 - £400 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
Frequently asked questions
What is an Ernemann Tropical Klapp worth today?
The only verified UK auction record on file is a £521 hammer price from December 2021, so a clean example can reasonably be expected to sell for around that figure at saleroom level, with retail prices higher.
How much does an Ernemann Tropical Klapp sell for at auction?
Auction data is sparse, but the recorded sale value of £521 is the best available reference point for the price a Tropical Klapp achieves in the UK market.
Why is the Tropical Klapp more collectable than a standard Klapp?
Tropical-specification cameras were produced in much smaller numbers and feature teak bodies and brass fittings rather than the leather-covered metal of standard models, which gives them a value premium among collectors.