Lizars Challenge Stereo Tropen (Tropical)
The Lizars Challenge Stereo Tropen (Tropical) is an early 20th-century tropical-finish stereo plate camera, built for paired side-by-side exposures. Tropical-bodied examples of this type were produced in teak or polished hardwood with brass fittings, intended for use in hot and humid climates where standard leatherette-covered bodies degraded.
Sales data for this model is extremely thin: a single recorded UK auction result from Christie's in 2002 shows a hammer price of £1,410 at saleroom level (wholesale, excluding commissions). With only one verified data point — and one more than two decades old — there is no reliable current market range, and what a Lizars Challenge Stereo Tropen is worth today in 2026 depends heavily on condition, completeness of original lenses and plate holders, and the integrity of the tropical woodwork and brasswork.
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: December 2002
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2002 | £1,410 | Christie's | |
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Auction: THE BRITISH CAMERA 1840-1960 THE JIM BARRON COLLECTION (Lot 96) Title: Challenge tropical stereo camera
Description:
Challenge tropical stereo camera Estimate: £900 - £1,200 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Lizars Challenge Stereo Tropen (Tropical) worth?
The only verified UK auction record for this model is a £1,410 hammer price at Christie's in 2002; with no recent comparable sales, a reliable present-day value cannot be stated, and condition and completeness would drive any current price.
How much does a Lizars Challenge Stereo Tropen sell for at auction?
Public sales history is limited to a single result of £1,410 at a UK saleroom, so any quoted figure for what one sells for today would be speculative rather than evidence-based.
Why is the 'Tropical' version more collectable?
Tropical-finish cameras were made in smaller numbers using polished hardwood and brass fittings for use in humid climates, and surviving examples in honest, uncracked condition tend to command a premium over standard leather-covered bodies of the same model.