Steinheil Stereo Detective
The Steinheil Stereo Detective is an early stereo plate camera, produced for capturing paired images on glass plates for stereoscopic viewing. Steinheil of Munich, better known as an optical maker, built it as a detective-style stereo body within the late nineteenth and early twentieth century plate-camera tradition.
Auction data for the Stereo Detective is extremely thin: a single UK saleroom hammer result of £15,625 is on record, with no recent comparable to confirm where the value sits today. With only one data point, that figure should be read as an indicative wholesale auction outcome for an exceptional example rather than a reliable guide to what the camera is worth or sells for in the wider market.
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: November 2002
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2002 | EUR 15,625 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 1 (Lot AI_1_20970) Title: STEINHEIL STEREO DETEKTIV
Description:
8.5x17cm, magazine for 12 plates, plaque stamped C.A. STEINHEIL SOHNE MUNCHEN, rotary shutter, Aplanat lenses |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
Frequently asked questions
What is a Steinheil Stereo Detective worth today?
The only recorded UK auction hammer price is £15,625, but with just one sale on file in 2026 any current value should be treated as indicative rather than a firm market price.
How much does a Steinheil Stereo Detective sell for at auction?
Public sales history shows a single hammer result of £15,625, so the price a given example sells for will depend heavily on completeness, condition and bidder interest on the day.
Is the Steinheil Stereo Detective a rare camera?
Appearances in tracked UK salerooms are very infrequent, which is consistent with a low-production early stereo plate camera from a specialist Munich optical maker.