Pignons Bolcarette (prototype)
The Pignons Bolcarette is a prototype camera from the Swiss manufacturer Pignons, the firm best known for the Alpa line of 35mm reflex cameras. As a prototype it was never put into series production, so surviving examples are essentially one-off pieces rather than a regular catalogue model.
With only a single recorded UK auction hammer result — £15,000 in June 2020 — the Bolcarette price sits firmly in the territory of museum-grade collector pieces rather than user cameras. That figure reflects wholesale saleroom level today and tells us only what one specific example was worth on one specific day; what a Bolcarette prototype sells for in the future will depend almost entirely on the individual piece offered and the bidders in the room.
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 2020
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2020 | EUR 15,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 36 (Lot AI_36_38249) Title: Bolcarette Alpa prototype
Description:
A sensational find - a prototype camera, made by Jacques Bogopolsky during his early years at Pignons SA, most probably it was an experimental camera, designed to test the limitations of 35mm film, it takes 32x50mm exposures on unperforated 35mm film in standard cassettes. The camera resembles the earliest Alpa bodies in the overall shape, but it is 9mm narrower and 4mm higher, it has no rangefinder or reflex finder, the internal construction also resembles early Alpa cameras in many details, like the type of the back door, similar pressure plate, placement of the controls etc. The camera is equipped with a unique, fast Trioplan 3/65mm no.328190 - a lens never seen before - it is mounted in Compur-Rapid shutter, in collapsible aluminium mount. This special camera is in very good condition and comes with a special leather case stamped with 'Bolca I'. It is a unique opportunity for every Alpa collector! Estimate: EUR 20,000 - EUR 24,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Pignons Bolcarette prototype worth?
The only recorded UK auction sale, in June 2020, achieved a hammer price of £15,000, which is the single reliable data point for its value.
How much does a Pignons Bolcarette sell for at auction?
With just one recorded result at £15,000, there is no meaningful price range — any future sale will be judged on the specific example and its provenance rather than an established market median.
Is the Bolcarette a production camera?
No, it is a prototype from Pignons and was not produced in series, which is the main reason so few examples appear on the market.