Krügener Taschenbuch camera (Book-Camera)
The Krügener Taschenbuch camera, known as the Book-Camera, is a late-19th-century German detective camera disguised as a small hardbound book. It was designed for discreet photography, with the lens concealed in the spine and plates held inside the book-shaped body.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Taschenbuch have ranged from £2,000 to £4,200, with a median around £3,000 — wholesale saleroom results that exclude buyer's and seller's commission. As of 2026, what a Krügener Book-Camera is worth depends heavily on completeness of the disguise, condition of the leather covering, and whether original plate holders are present. Fully intact examples sell for a premium, while worn or incomplete bodies fetch the lower end of the range.
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 2020 | EUR 3,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 36 (Lot AI_36_38020) Title: Dr. Krügener Taschenbuch Camera
Description:
very rare and fully original Taschenbuch-Camera - a leather-covered detective camera disguised as a book, for 24 plates 40x40mm, in excellent original condition Estimate: EUR 6,000 - EUR 7,000 |
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| Jun 2017 | EUR 2,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 31 (Lot AI_31_35607) Title: Krügener's Taschenbuch-Camera
Description:
very rare detective camera disguised as a leather-covered book, for square 4x4cm exposures (film holders included), stamped on leather: "Krügener's Taschenbuch-Camera, Frankfurt A/M, Patentiert in fast allen Ländern, DRP 46423" in beautiful original condition Estimate: EUR 4,000 - EUR 5,000 |
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| Nov 2014 | EUR 4,200 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 26 (Lot AI_26_30729) Title: Krügener's Taschenbuch-Camera
Description:
very rare detective camera disguised as a leather-covered book, for square 4x4cm exposures (film holders included), stamped on leather: "Krügener's Taschenbuch-Camera, Frankfurt A/M, Patentiert in fast allen Ländern, DRP 46423" in beautiful original condition with original leather carrying case Estimate: EUR 4,000 - EUR 5,000 |
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