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Lizars Challenge Tropen (Tropical)

The Lizars Challenge Tropen (Tropical) is a tropical-finish plate camera sold under the Scottish retailer J. Lizars' Challenge line in the early twentieth century. Tropical-pattern bodies of this type were built for use in hot, humid climates, typically employing polished hardwood and brass fittings in place of leather-covered panels.

Auction evidence for this specific model is thin: the two recorded UK hammer results sit at £120 and £322, giving a wholesale saleroom range of roughly £120–£320 and a midpoint near £220. These are hammer prices at auction and exclude commission, so what a Challenge Tropen is worth today depends heavily on condition of the woodwork, brasswork and bellows, with clean, complete examples sitting toward the upper end of that range and tired bodies selling for much less.

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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 2018

Date Price Source
Nov 2018 £480 Flints Auctions
Sep 2005 £120 Christie's
May 2002 £411 Christie's
Jul 2001 £164 Christie's
Jun 1999 £402 Christie's
Jan 1999 £322 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Lizars Challenge Tropen (Tropical) worth today?

Based on the limited UK auction record, hammer prices have ranged from about £120 to £320, so a complete, clean example typically sells for a price in the low-to-mid hundreds of pounds in 2026.

How much does a Lizars Challenge Tropen sell for at auction?

Recorded UK saleroom results for this model show hammer prices of £120 and £322, which is the clearest guide to current value given how rarely it appears.

Why is the 'Tropical' version more collectable?

Tropical-pattern cameras were built with polished hardwood and brass instead of leather to withstand heat and humidity, and surviving examples in sound condition are scarcer than standard leather-covered bodies, which supports their price at auction.

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