Kunik Petie (handbag)
The Kunik Petie (handbag) is a subminiature camera concealed within a woman's handbag, a novelty subminiature format produced in the mid-20th century. Its positioning was as a disguised camera novelty rather than a general-purpose photographic tool, sold to collectors of unusual subminiature equipment.
Kunik Petie (handbag) examples appear at UK auction only rarely, so a current market price in 2026 is hard to pin down with precision. The single hammer result on file is £575 at Christie's in 1999 — a wholesale saleroom figure rather than a retail asking price — which gives a starting reference for what one is worth, though condition of the handbag housing and completeness of the camera fittings will heavily influence what a comparable example sells for today.
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: June 1999
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1999 | £575 | Christie's | |
|
Auction: Leica Cameras (Lot 28) Title: Handbag camera
Description:
Handbag camera Estimate: £600 - £900 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
Frequently asked questions
What is a Kunik Petie (handbag) worth today?
The only verified UK auction record on file is a £575 hammer price from 1999; with just one data point, a precise present-day value cannot be stated, but that figure remains the clearest reference for what the model has sold for.
How much does a Kunik Petie (handbag) sell for at auction?
Public UK saleroom data shows one example selling for £575 (hammer, excluding commission). Recent comparable sales are not available in the data provided.
Why is the price and value so hard to pin down?
The Petie handbag camera is a scarce disguised subminiature that comes to market infrequently, so there is not enough recent sales evidence to quote a reliable range or median.