CameraWorth.com

Houghton Watch Pocket Carbine

The Houghton Watch Pocket Carbine is an early British folding camera produced by the London-based Houghton firm. It belongs to the compact roll-film and plate-camera tradition of the early twentieth century, designed to fold flat enough to be carried in a pocket.

Sales data for the Watch Pocket Carbine is extremely thin: the only verified UK auction hammer result on file is a single Christie's sale at £70 in 2001, so any current price guidance is indicative rather than firm. As of today, comparable early Houghton folders tend to sell for modest sums at saleroom level, and what a Watch Pocket Carbine is worth now will depend heavily on bellows condition, completeness and cosmetic state. Buyers asking how much one sells for should treat the £70 figure as a historical reference point rather than a reliable current market value.

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.

Prices updated: May 2005

Date Price Source
May 2005 £96 Christie's
Sep 2003 £52 Christie's
Jul 2001 £70 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Houghton Watch Pocket Carbine worth today?

Auction evidence is very limited, but the one recorded UK hammer price in our data is £70 at Christie's, so a complete, working example is likely to trade in a broadly similar range subject to condition.

How much does a Houghton Watch Pocket Carbine sell for at auction?

With only a single verified sale on record at £70, the price a Watch Pocket Carbine sells for at UK auction is best judged case by case, with clean, fully functional examples expected to command the stronger end of any range.

What affects the value of a Watch Pocket Carbine?

Bellows integrity, shutter function, lens clarity and overall cosmetic condition are the main drivers of value, along with the presence of the original case and any maker's documentation.