Kershaw Curlew III
The Kershaw Curlew III is a British folding roll-film camera produced by Kershaw of Leeds. It is a mid-20th-century medium-format folder aimed at the entry-level snapshot market when new.
At UK auction, hammer prices for the Curlew III have ranged from about £30 to £210, reflecting wholesale saleroom levels rather than retail asking prices. With only a small number of recorded results, today's value is highly condition-dependent: tidy, working examples sell for more, while the camera is worth comparatively little in poor cosmetic order. A recent 2026 sale at £30 suggests the lower end of the market is where most plain examples now trade.
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: July 2026
| Date | Price | Value GBP | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2026 | £38 | £30 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 341) Title: A Kershaw Curlew-III Medium Format Folding Camera
Description:
chrome, body G, opens and folds correctly, shutter needs attention, with a Kershaw Critak f/4.5 105mm lens, optics F-G with light dust. |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Apr 2026 | £212 | £170 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 417) Title: A Kershaw Curlew III Folding Camera
Description:
1950-, chrome, serial no. 3/6702, with Taylor Hobson Roytal f/3.8 105mm lens, chrome, serial no. 335762, body, VG, lens, VG, shuter working, complete |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Jan 2026 | £30 | £30 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
|
Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 230) Title: A Kershaw Curlew III Folding Camera
Description:
A Kershaw Curlew III Folding Camera, shutter working, cocking lever slow to return, body G, bellows G, some paint wear to lens bezel, light surface |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Sep 2024 | £44 | £35 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 47) Title: A Kershaw Curlew III Folding Camera
Description:
black, serial number 3/9116, body F, erecting mechanism needs repair, shutter works, with Kershaw Critax f/4.5 105mm lens, and ERC. |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Jul 2024 | £81 | £65 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 170) Title: A Kershaw Curlew III Medium Format Folding Camera
Description:
with Taylor Hobson Roytal f/3.8 105mm lens, body, F-G, slight lifting of leatherette, shutter works but release arm needs adjustment, lens, F-G with |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Jan 2024 | £100 | £100 | 🇬🇧 Cullens of Surrey | |
|
Auction: Collectors Sale Including A Large One Owner Comic Collecti (Lot 26) Title: Kershaw Curlew - III 6x9 Folding Camera - Taylor Hobson Roytal 105mm f3.8 lens
Description:
Kershaw Curlew - III 6x9 Folding Camera - Taylor Hobson Roytal 105mm f3.8 lens |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Sep 2023 | £200 | £160 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 85) Title: A Kershaw Curlew III Medium Format Camera
Description:
with Taylor Hobson Roytal f/3.8 105mm lens, body, F-VG, clasp from film bed missing, lens, VG, in maker's case |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Nov 2004 | EUR 208 | £145 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 6 (Lot AI_6_23923) Title: Kershaw Curlew-III
Description:
6x9cm for rollfilm, Taylor-Hobson Roytal 3.8/105mm in Talykron shutter, very rare camera Estimate: EUR 400 - EUR 600 |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Mar 2004 | £239 | £200 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
|
Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT - THE PROPERTY OF A COLLE (Lot 235) Title: Curlew III no. 3/7894
Description:
Curlew III no. 3/7894 Estimate: £200 - £300 |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| May 1998 | £69 | £60 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
|
Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 458) Title: Curlew III no. 3/7588
Description:
Curlew III no. 3/7588 Estimate: £20 - £200 |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
Frequently asked questions
What is a Kershaw Curlew III worth today?
Based on UK auction hammer results, a Kershaw Curlew III is worth roughly £30 at the lower end, with cleaner examples having sold for around £210 in the past.
How much does a Kershaw Curlew III sell for at auction?
Recent UK auction data shows the Curlew III sells for as little as £30 for plain examples, while the price for better-preserved cameras has reached about £210.
Is the Kershaw Curlew III a good buy at its current price?
At current saleroom levels it is an inexpensive entry into British folding roll-film cameras, but the value depends heavily on bellows condition and shutter function, so factor in possible repair costs.