Stirn Vest Camera (4 exposures, 4x4cm)
The Stirn Vest Camera is a late-19th-century German concealed-detective camera designed to be worn under a waistcoat, with the lens protruding through a buttonhole. It produced four circular exposures on a single rotating dry plate in roughly a 4x4cm format.
At UK auction in recent years, hammer prices for the Stirn Vest Camera have ranged from about £750 to £850, placing the median around £800 — wholesale saleroom levels rather than dealer retail. With only a small pool of recorded results, what a given example sells for today depends heavily on completeness, plate condition and the presence of the original waistcoat-fitting hardware.
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 2024
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Jun 2024 | EUR 850 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 44 (Lot A00591) Title: Stirn Vest Camera No.2
Description:
Rare version for four 4x4cm exposures, periscope lens, rotary shutter, in almost mint condition and in working order, diameter c.18cm, with 3x film plates holders and worn original green wool strap. Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| Jun 2021 | EUR 750 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 38 (Lot AI_38_39401) Title: C.P. Stirn Vest Camera No.3
Description:
very rare version for only 4 exposures 4x4cm on glass plates, periscope lens, rotary shutter (not operable), in very good condition, diameter c.18cm Estimate: EUR 1,400 - EUR 1,600 |
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| Nov 2020 | EUR 800 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 37 (Lot AI_37_38530) Title: C.P. Stirn Vest Camera No.3
Description:
very rare version for only 4 exposures 4x4cm on glass plates, periscope lens, rotary shutter (not operable), in very good condition, diameter c.18cm Estimate: EUR 1,600 - EUR 1,800 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Stirn Vest Camera worth today?
Based on the limited UK auction record, examples have a hammer value of roughly £750–£850, with condition and completeness driving where a given camera sits in that range.
How much does a Stirn Vest Camera sell for at auction?
Recent UK hammer results sit between £750 and £850, so a clean, complete example can realistically be expected to sell for around £800 before commission.
What affects the price of a Stirn Vest Camera?
Mechanical condition of the shutter and rotating plate, cosmetic condition of the disc-shaped body, and retention of original fittings are the main factors that move the value up or down within the observed range.