Konishiroku Pearlette
The Konishiroku Pearlette is a Japanese folding roll-film camera produced by Konishiroku (later Konica). It is a small-format folder aimed at the consumer market of its era, and surviving examples are encountered today as collector items rather than working tools.
Auction data for the Pearlette is extremely thin: the only recorded UK saleroom result on file is a single hammer price of £28 from 1998, so any current value figure is indicative rather than a true median. Today, condition, completeness of the bellows and shutter, and originality of finish drive whatever a Pearlette sells for at auction, and clean working examples can outperform that historical reference while tatty bodies are worth less.
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: November 1998
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 1998 | £28 | Christie's | |
|
Auction: KOSLOV COLLECTION OF CAMERAS AND SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS (Lot 196) Title: Pearlette camera
Description:
Pearlette camera Estimate: £25 - £100 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Konishiroku Pearlette worth today?
With only one verified UK auction record on file (£28 hammer in 1998), a precise current value cannot be stated; condition and working order will be the main drivers of price.
How much does a Pearlette sell for at auction?
The single recorded UK saleroom result is £28 at hammer, and clean, fully working examples in 2026 would generally be expected to trade around or above that level rather than below it.
Is the Konishiroku Pearlette a collector's camera?
Yes — as an early Konishiroku folder it is bought primarily for display and collecting rather than regular shooting, which is reflected in its modest auction price history.