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Rollei Rolleicord I Art Deco

The Rolleicord I Art Deco is a medium-format twin-lens reflex introduced by Franke & Heidecke in 1933 as the first Rolleicord model. It was positioned as a lower-cost alternative to the Rolleiflex, and takes its informal name from the decoratively patterned nickel-plated front plate — the same feature that earned it the collector nickname 'Tapeten-Rollei'.

Hammer prices for clean examples at recent UK auction have ranged from roughly £50 to £140, with 2023–2024 results of £50, £94, £100 and £138 putting the typical saleroom value around £95–£120 — wholesale auction levels rather than dealer retail. In today's market the condition of the Art Deco front plate is what drives value: bodies with pitted or flaking plating sell for well under £100, while complete, visually clean cameras sit at the upper end of the range.

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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: April 2024

Date Price Source
Apr 2024 £50 Special Auction Services
Jan 2024 £94 Flints Auctions
Sep 2023 £225 Flints Auctions
Mar 2023 £138 Flints Auctions
Jan 2023 £100 Flints Auctions
Oct 2022 £112 Flints Auctions
Oct 2022 £62 Flints Auctions
Aug 2022 £94 Flints Auctions
Jan 2022 £68 Flints Auctions
Jan 2021 £124 Flints Auctions
May 2009 EUR 320 Leitz Auction
Nov 2006 EUR 160 Leitz Auction

Frequently asked questions

What is a Rolleicord I Art Deco worth today?

Based on UK auction hammer results from 2023–2024, a Rolleicord I Art Deco is worth roughly £50 to £140, with most complete examples selling for around £95–£120.

How much does a Rolleicord I Art Deco sell for at auction?

Recent documented hammer prices are £50, £94, £100 and £138, so the typical auction price sits in the £95–£120 bracket, with heavily worn bodies dropping to around £50.

What makes the Art Deco version different from a later Rolleicord?

It has a decoratively patterned nickel-plated front plate instead of the plain black finish used on later Rolleicord models, which is why collectors sometimes call it the 'Tapeten-Rollei'.

Does condition of the front plate really affect the price?

Yes — the Art Deco panel is the reason this variant is collected, so pitting, flaking plating or heavy scratches typically cut the value by half compared with a visually clean example.

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