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Shew Aluminum Xit

The Shew Aluminum Xit is a British-made folding plate camera from the late Victorian and Edwardian era, built by J.F. Shew & Co. of London. The aluminum-bodied variant of the Xit was marketed as a lightweight strut-folding hand camera at a time when most competitors used heavier mahogany and brass construction.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Shew Aluminum Xit have ranged from roughly £80 to £320, with a median around £186 across the last five recorded sales. Today the model's value is heavily condition-sensitive at the saleroom level — clean, complete examples with intact bellows and original fittings sit at the upper end of that range, while incomplete or damaged bodies sell for well under £100 in 2026.

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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.

Date Price Source
Jul 2025 £80 Special Auction Services
Apr 2024 £130 Special Auction Services
Apr 2021 £186 Flints Auctions
Apr 2021 £223 Flints Auctions
Apr 2019 £324 Flints Auctions
Jun 2017 EUR 400 Leitz Auction
Nov 2006 £132 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Shew Aluminum Xit worth today?

Recent UK auction hammer prices have spanned roughly £80 to £320, with a median near £186, so a typical clean example is worth somewhere in the middle of that range.

How much does a Shew Aluminum Xit sell for at auction?

Across the last five recorded UK auction results, the camera has sold for between £80 and £324, with condition and completeness being the dominant factors in the final price.

Why does the price vary so much?

The value of an Aluminum Xit depends on bellows condition, presence of original plate holders and ground glass, and whether the shutter still functions; cosmetically poor or incomplete examples sell for a fraction of clean ones.

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