Stirn Vest Camera (6 exposures, w/box)
The Stirn Vest Camera is a 19th-century German concealed detective camera, designed to be worn under a waistcoat with the lens protruding through a buttonhole to make circular exposures on a rotating plate. This six-exposure configuration, supplied with its original box, represents the complete presentation as sold when new to late-Victorian amateurs.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Stirn Vest Camera with box have ranged from £1,100 to £2,000, with a median around £1,600 — figures reflecting saleroom wholesale levels rather than retail dealer asking prices. As of today in 2026, what a boxed example is worth varies sharply with completeness: the original card box, instructions and any spare plates materially lift the price, and a missing or damaged box can pull value toward the lower end of the range.
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 2020
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2020 | EUR 1,100 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 37 (Lot AI_37_38557) Title: C.P. Stirn Vest Camera No.1
Description:
Round metal detective camera for 6 exposures 4x4cm on round glass plates, in good condition, with rare original wooden maker's box Estimate: EUR 1,400 - EUR 1,600 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Mar 2014 | EUR 2,000 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 25 (Lot AI_25_20824) Title: C.P.Stirn Vest Camera Nr.2
Description:
for six exposures 4x4cm, silver concealed Vest Camera in original maker's box, with two exposed plates, in very fine condition Estimate: EUR 1,800 - EUR 2,000 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Nov 2012 | EUR 1,600 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 22 (Lot AI_22_14335) Title: C.P.Stirn Vest Camera Nr.1
Description:
for six exposures 4x4cm, silver concealed Vest Camera in original wooden box, with an exposed plate, early serial number, in very fine condition Estimate: EUR 2,500 - EUR 3,000 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
Frequently asked questions
What is a Stirn Vest Camera with box worth today?
Recent UK auction hammer prices sit between roughly £1,100 and £2,000, with a median near £1,600 for a six-exposure example complete with its original box.
How much does a Stirn Vest Camera sell for at auction?
Boxed six-exposure examples have sold for £1,100 to £2,000 at UK auction in recent years, with price driven mainly by the condition of the box and mechanism.
Why does the box matter so much for the price?
The original box is scarce survivor material, so its presence and condition is the single biggest factor in what a Stirn Vest Camera sells for, often accounting for a large share of the value.