Kodak No. 1 Brownie Camera
The Kodak No. 1 Brownie is an early 20th-century roll-film box camera introduced by Eastman Kodak as an entry-level snapshot camera. It used roll film in a simple cardboard-and-wood box body with a basic meniscus lens, positioned when new as an affordable camera aimed at casual and amateur users.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the No. 1 Brownie have sat at the low end of the collectable-camera market, with recorded sales of £34 and £62 giving a range of roughly £34–£62. With only two data points on file in 2026, the price a given example sells for today is strongly condition-sensitive, and complete, clean bodies with original box or instructions tend to be worth more than loose, worn examples.
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: October 2025
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Oct 2025 | £62 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 156) Title: An Eastman Kodak No.2 Blue Beau Brownie
Description:
blue, body G-VG, shutter working, (Qty: 1) |
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| Jun 2023 | EUR 500 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 42 (Lot AI_20220121_1128_41460) Title: Eastman Kodak No.1
Description:
very rare second type camera for roll-films ever produced by Kodak, with simplified shutter system, for 2½ inches round pictures, in very good condition and working order, film magazine with matching number, note the unusual spirit level and lens cap, shutter crank wire not original Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| Nov 2004 | EUR 172 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 6 (Lot AI_6_24093) Title: Kodak No.1 Brownie Camera Mod.B
Description:
legendary camera for 6x6cm exposures on 117 roll film, model B without finder (with angle scale on leather), good original condition Estimate: EUR 200 - EUR 300 |
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| Nov 1998 | £34 | Christie's | |
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Auction: KOSLOV COLLECTION OF CAMERAS AND SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS (Lot 265) Title: No. 1 Brownie camera
Description:
No. 1 Brownie camera Estimate: £25 - £100 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Kodak No. 1 Brownie Camera worth today?
Based on UK auction hammer results on file, examples have sold in a range of about £34–£62, with the price a specific camera sells for depending heavily on cosmetic condition and completeness.
How much does a Kodak No. 1 Brownie sell for at auction?
Recent and historic UK saleroom hammer prices recorded for this model are £34 and £62, so most plain examples trade in that lower two-figure bracket rather than achieving strong collector premiums.
What affects the value of a No. 1 Brownie?
Condition of the covering and shutter, presence of the original box and instructions, and overall completeness are the main factors that push the price up or down within the observed range.