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Rollei 35 (Red Urushi, prototype)

The Rollei 35 (Red Urushi, prototype) is a one-off finish on the compact 35mm viewfinder camera Rollei introduced in the late 1960s, built around the small-bodied 35 platform that became one of the smallest full-frame 35mm cameras of its era. As a prototype with red urushi lacquer, it sits outside the standard production line and was never offered as a regular catalogue model.

With only a single recorded UK auction result, this prototype is effectively unpriced on the open market: the one hammer figure on file is £3,400 (November 2014), and that wholesale, saleroom-level result is the only data point available today in 2026. Because it is a unique finish rather than a production variant, what a Red Urushi prototype is worth, sells for, or could realistically achieve at auction depends almost entirely on documentation of provenance and direct factory attribution rather than on comparable sales.

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 2017

Date Price Source
Jun 2017 EUR 1,900 Leitz Auction
Nov 2014 EUR 3,400 Leitz Auction

Frequently asked questions

What is a Rollei 35 Red Urushi prototype worth at auction?

The only recorded UK auction hammer price on file is £3,400, achieved in November 2014; with just one data point, this should be treated as indicative rather than a reliable market value.

How much does a Rollei 35 Red Urushi prototype sell for today?

There is no recent comparable sale to quote a current price from, so any figure would be speculative — serious buyers typically negotiate privately based on provenance and condition.

Is this a standard production Rollei 35 variant?

No. The Red Urushi finish is a prototype rather than a catalogued production version, which is why pricing references are extremely limited.