Geymet & Alker Jumelle de Nicour
The Jumelle de Nicour is a 19th-century French detective camera made by Geymet & Alker, styled in the form of a binocular (jumelle) to disguise its purpose. It is a wet/dry-plate era apparatus aimed at discreet street use rather than studio work, and survives today almost exclusively in collector and museum hands.
With only a single recorded UK auction hammer result in our dataset — £37,000 in November 2015 — there is no meaningful range to quote, and as of 2026 the model trades in five-figure territory at saleroom level rather than at retail. A piece this scarce sells for whatever two determined collectors are willing to bid on the day, so the price any given example is worth can vary widely from this benchmark depending on completeness and provenance.
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 2015 | EUR 37,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 28 (Lot AI_28_33094) Title: Geymet & Alker Jumelle de Nicour
Description:
very early classic and extremely rare binocular-styled camera with cylindrical magazine for 50 dry collodion plates 40x40mm, the camera is in beautiful and original condition - less than 10 are known to exist Estimate: EUR 45,000 - EUR 55,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Geymet & Alker Jumelle de Nicour worth today?
The only verified UK auction hammer result on record is £37,000 from 2015, so a comparable example in collector-grade condition would be expected to sell for a similar five-figure sum, with the exact price highly dependent on condition and provenance.
How much does a Jumelle de Nicour sell for at auction?
Public sales are extremely rare; the single recorded hammer price in our data is £37,000, and that figure is the best available reference for current value.
Why is the price so high?
It is a 19th-century French disguised-form camera that almost never appears for sale, and scarcity combined with historical interest drives the price well above ordinary antique-camera levels.