Harukawa Septon Pen Camera
The Harukawa Septon Pen Camera is a Japanese subminiature camera styled to resemble a fountain pen, a format aimed at concealed or novelty photography. It belongs to the small group of disguised subminiature cameras produced in mid-20th-century Japan and was sold as a specialist item rather than a general-purpose camera.
At UK auction in 2026, the Harukawa Septon Pen Camera sits firmly in the collector tier: recorded hammer prices range from £1,600 to £4,500, putting the value of a given example well into four figures depending on condition and completeness. With only two saleroom results on file, what a Septon is worth today swings sharply with presentation — a clean, complete example sells for a clear premium over a tired body, and these wholesale auction levels reflect what the trade pays before retail mark-up.
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 2025 | EUR 1,600 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 46 (Lot A02005) Title: Harukawa Septon Pen Camera
Description:
Very rare subminiature camera for 16mm film, shaped like an oversized pen. Bakelite body with a total length of 14.5cm, with variable-aperture Septon 2.8/20mm no.13870 and rare original lens cap. Estimate: EUR 3,000 - EUR 3,400 |
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| Nov 2016 | EUR 4,500 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 30 (Lot AI_30_34363) Title: Harukawa Septon Pen Camera
Description:
Very rare pen camera for 16mm film, Deluxe model in very fine original condition - The device has the shape of an oversized pen. The tip contains a functional propelling pencil. The other end contains an eye-level viewfinder, and has a pen clip on one side, engraved SEPTON. The camera part is in the middle of the device. The exposure size is 14×14mm, and the film is sometimes described as paper-backed 16mm film, perhaps because it was advertised or announced as such. It seems that it is actually the same as the 17.5mm film used in Hit-type cameras. The back door is removable, contains a window to control the position of the film, and is inscribed PEN CAMERA and PAT.APPL. MADE IN JAPAN below. The advance knob itself is placed opposite the pen clip. The front part of the camera is metal finished, with a fixed-focus Septon 2.8/20mm lens no.13945 in the middle. The aperture is adjustable from 2.8 to 11, via a small knob placed above the lens. The shutter is of the guillotine type, and has Bulb and Instant settings, selected by a small knob at the bottom right. It is cocked by a sliding lever on the side, and tripped by a button placed opposite the speed knob. The name SEPTON is engraved on the front face, below the lens. The back is locked by a sliding latch. The dimensions are 141×35×38mm, and the weight is 120g. Estimate: EUR 3,000 - EUR 3,500 |
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