Molteni Detective camera
The Molteni Detective camera is a late-19th-century concealed-style plate camera of the type sold for discreet, hand-held photography before the rise of roll-film cameras. As a small-maker detective camera, it sits in the collector category of early wooden plate apparatus rather than mainstream production photographic equipment.
Auction evidence for the Molteni Detective camera is thin: a single UK saleroom hammer result of £3,200 in 2018 is the only data point on record, and as a wholesale auction figure it excludes buyer's and seller's commission. With just one sale to anchor the value, today any realistic estimate of what one is worth must treat that £3,200 as indicative rather than a reliable median, and the price a given example sells for will hinge heavily on condition, completeness and provenance.
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 | EUR 3,200 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 33 (Lot AI_33_36671) Title: Molteni Appareil Automatique Detective Camera
Description:
extremely rare and beautifully made French detective camera for 9x12cm exposures on plates, focal plane shutter (not operable), unique shutter release with folding trigger at the base of the camera, with nickel-plated Hermagis Apl.1 no.22789, very good original condition, incl. 4 double plate holders and canvas case Estimate: EUR 3,000 - EUR 3,600 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Molteni Detective camera worth today?
On the only recorded UK auction sale, a Molteni Detective camera achieved a hammer price of £3,200, so that figure is the best available reference for its value, though a single result is not a reliable median.
How much does a Molteni Detective camera sell for at auction?
The one documented UK auction hammer price is £3,200 (2018), excluding buyer's and seller's premium; with no further sales on record, the price any individual example sells for will depend strongly on condition and completeness.
Is the Molteni Detective camera rare?
Yes — it appears very infrequently at auction, with only a single recorded UK saleroom result, which is why pricing references for it are limited.