Robinson Luzo
The Robinson Luzo is an early British roll-film detective camera, dating from the late Victorian era and aimed at amateur photographers who wanted a discreet, hand-held instrument rather than a tripod-mounted plate camera.
Auction evidence for the Luzo is thin: the single recorded UK saleroom result, from October 2019, hammered at £1,560, which sets the only firm reference point for what one sells for in today's market. Because that figure is a wholesale auction-hammer price rather than a dealer asking price, retail values in 2026 can sit meaningfully higher, and condition, completeness and originality of the wooden body and brasswork heavily influence what a Luzo is worth.
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: October 2019
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2019 | £1,560 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 421) Title: A J. Robinson & Sons The 'Luzo' Hand Camera
Description:
1889, 3x4", serial no. 734, body, VG, shutter working, lens, G, some light internal haze, complete with fitted leather case; Stamped to wood 'H J |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Robinson Luzo worth today?
On the only verified UK auction record, a Luzo sold for £1,560 hammer in 2019; clean, complete examples can command similar or higher prices, while incomplete or damaged bodies sell for considerably less.
How much does a Robinson Luzo sell for at auction?
The available sales history shows one hammer result at £1,560, so that figure is the best current guide to auction value, though a single data point means the true price range is not yet well established.
Is the Robinson Luzo a rare camera?
Yes — it appears only sporadically in UK salerooms, which is why pricing data is limited and why condition has an outsized effect on value.