Fallowfield Facile
The Fallowfield Facile is an early British-made camera sold by the London photographic dealer J. Fallowfield. It dates from the late Victorian era of plate photography and was positioned as a compact detective-style instrument for amateur use.
Sales data for the Fallowfield Facile is extremely thin, so any sense of what one is worth today rests on a very small evidence base. The single recorded UK auction hammer result is £376 from December 2002, a wholesale saleroom figure rather than a retail asking price, and no recent comparables exist to confirm whether the Facile still sells for a similar level in 2026. Condition, completeness of the original plate-holders and case, and provenance would all materially affect price.
Variants
Select a variant to filter the sales history below.
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series 1 | — | — | 0 | — |
| Series 1 Anastigmat | — | — | 0 | — |
| Series 11 f/4.8 | — | — | 0 | — |
Sales History
Prices shown are realised prices — auction results and completed eBay sales, never asking prices. Most saleroom figures are hammer prices, before commission; some houses publish a premium-inclusive figure, and we do not adjust for condition. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher. How this figure is calculated.
Based on 5 recorded sales — indicative only.
Most recent sale: May 2024.
| Date | Price | Value GBP | Source | Variant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | £160 | £160 | 🇬🇧 Tennants Auctioneers | — | |
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Auction: Scientific & Musical Instruments, Cameras & Tools (Lot 139) Title: Fallowfields "Facile" Detective Camera
Description:
with mahogany case |
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| Oct 2017 | £78 | £65 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 391) Title: A Fallowfield 'Facile' Mahogany Detective Magazine Camera
Description:
1887, quarter plate, body, G, lacking lens and shutter assembly; Marked to top "Fallowfield's 'Facile', 146, Charing X Road.". Originally called the |
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| Feb 2004 | £239 | £200 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT INCLUDING MAGIC LANTERNS (Lot 245) Title: Facile camera
Description:
Facile camera Estimate: £250 - £350 |
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| Apr 2003 | £70 | £70 | 🇬🇧 Bonhams | — | |
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Auction: Mechanical Music, Cameras & Railwayana (Lot 423) Title: Facile Hand camera by J Fallowfield, London,
Description:
Facile Hand camera by J Fallowfield, London, quarter-plate mahogany box type detective camera with internal plate magazines, maker's plate "Fallowfield's Facile 146 Charing X Road", lacking lens and shutter. Estimate: £80 - £120 |
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| Dec 2002 | £376 | £320 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: THE BRITISH CAMERA 1840-1960 THE JIM BARRON COLLECTION (Lot 110) Title: Facile hand camera
Description:
Facile hand camera Estimate: £200 - £300 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Fallowfield Facile worth today?
Evidence is limited to one UK auction hammer result of £376 from 2002, so a precise current value cannot be given with confidence; condition and completeness would drive any modern price.
How much does a Fallowfield Facile sell for at auction?
The only verified saleroom price on record is £376 hammer, achieved at a UK auction in December 2002.
Is the Fallowfield Facile a collectible camera?
Yes — as a Victorian-era British detective-style plate camera it has collector interest, though the market for it is thin and individual sales are infrequent.