Gaumont Block-Notes
The Gaumont Block-Notes is an early 20th-century French folding strut camera produced by Gaumont of Paris, made in a compact, pocketable form for plate photography. It was positioned as a small-format stereo and single-lens folding camera for amateur use in the pre-war era.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Block-Notes have ranged from about £35 to £150, with a median near £120, so in 2026 today a typical example is worth well under £200 at saleroom level. Condition drives value sharply: clean, complete bodies with working shutters sell for more, while incomplete or tired examples often sell for around £35.
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.
Prices updated: October 2024
| Date | Price | Value GBP | Source | |
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| Oct 2024 | £35 | £35 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 106) Title: A L Gaumont & Co Block Notes 4.5 x 6cm Folding Strut Camera
Description:
A L Gaumont & Co Block Notes 4.5 x 6cm Folding Strut Camera, serial no 4574, shutter working, body F-G, brassing & paint scratches, bellows F-G, with |
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| Sep 2023 | £56 | £45 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 144) Title: A Gaumont Paris Block Notes Camera
Description:
with Som Berthiot Paris Stellor f/4.5 lens, body, F, shutter not working, lens, F, internal haze and fungus, (AF) |
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| Oct 2017 | £60 | £50 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 464) Title: A Gaumont Block Notes Folding Strut Camera
Description:
1904-1924, 4.5x6cm, serial no. 7986, with Krauss Tessar-Zeiss f/6.3 72mm lens, serial no. 87749, body, G, shutter working, lens, VG, complete with L. |
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| Dec 2009 | EUR 150 | £135 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 16 (Lot AI_16_19353) Title: Gaumont Block Notes
Description:
4.5x6cm with Krauss Tessar 4.5/72mm no.119286, in good original condition (missing focusing screen adapter, shutter not operable), plate magazine no.3134, Zeiss Duar filter, instructions, in original Gaumont leather case Estimate: EUR 300 - EUR 400 |
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| Dec 2009 | EUR 150 | £135 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 16 (Lot AI_16_19354) Title: Gaumont Block Notes
Description:
for 6x9cm exposures, in good original condition (shutter not working), focusing screen adapter, 6x platefilm holders, in original Gaumont leather case Estimate: EUR 300 - EUR 400 |
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| May 2009 | EUR 120 | £106 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 15 (Lot AI_15_18414) Title: Gaumont Block-Notes
Description:
4.5x6cm with Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 6.3/75mm no.78482, in fantastic original condition with 10 film holders (focusing screen adapter missing), in original Gaumont leather case Estimate: EUR 200 - EUR 250 |
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| May 2005 | EUR 180 | £123 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 7 (Lot AI_7_24810) Title: Gaumont Block-Notes
Description:
4.5x6cm with Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 6.3/75mm no.78482, fantastic original condition with 10 film holders, missing focusing screen adapter, in original Gaumont leather case Estimate: EUR 300 - EUR 350 |
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| Aug 1998 | £80 | £70 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 332) Title: Block-Notes no. 9187
Description:
Block-Notes no. 9187 Estimate: £80 - £100 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Gaumont Block-Notes worth today?
Based on UK auction hammer results, a Gaumont Block-Notes is typically worth between about £35 and £150, with recent sales clustering around £120.
How much does a Gaumont Block-Notes sell for at auction?
Recent UK hammer prices show the Block-Notes sells for roughly £35 at the low end for rougher examples and up to about £150 for cleaner, more complete ones.
What affects the value and price of a Block-Notes?
Bellows condition, shutter function, cosmetic completeness and the presence of original plate holders are the main factors that push the price and overall value up or down.