Suter Detective Camera
The Suter Detective Camera is an early box-form plate camera from the late 19th century, built for discreet handheld use during the period when "detective" cameras were a recognised category of concealed or inconspicuous photographic equipment. Made by the Swiss optical firm E. Suter of Basel, it was positioned as a quality instrument for amateur photographers seeking a more portable alternative to tripod-mounted field cameras.
Auction data for the Suter Detective Camera is extremely thin, so any sense of what one sells for today rests on a single data point: a 2011 UK saleroom hammer result of £5,500. That figure reflects wholesale auction value rather than retail, and given the model's scarcity, the price a clean, complete example is worth can swing widely with condition, completeness of the original lens and plate holders, and provenance.
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2015 | EUR 1,700 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 28 (Lot AI_28_32832) Title: E. Suter Tropical Detective camera
Description:
very rare tropical version of the Suter's detective camera, early 9x12 cm version with two reflex viewfinders, unmarked lens, working shutter, in very good condition with worn leather case Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 1,200 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| May 2011 | EUR 5,500 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 19 (Lot AI_19_12845) Title: Josef Wanaus & Co. Detektiv Camera
Description:
18x24cm, very rare large format Viennese wooden detective camera with black leather covering, ground glass screen, nickel fittings, two large frame finders, with Suter Basel Anastigmat Serie I no.4 7.2/270mm no.32047, working shutter, lens cap in holder, on a metal plaque written inside: Josef Wanaus & Co. Wien VI Kanalgasse 5 Estimate: EUR 5,000 - EUR 6,000 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Nov 2003 | EUR 729 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 4 (Lot AI_4_22463) Title: E. Suter, Switzerland Suter Detective
Description:
9x12cm, lederbezogenes Holzgehäuse, Magazin für 20 Aufnahmen, Suter-Objektiv 1:8 in Rotationsverschluss, eine Ausführung der Kamera in politiertem Walnussholz und eine Stereoversion waren seinerzeit ebenfalls erhältlich Estimate: EUR 1,893 - EUR 14,020 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
Frequently asked questions
What is a Suter Detective Camera worth today?
On the only verified UK auction record available, one sold for £5,500 at hammer in 2011; with just a single data point, current value is best confirmed against fresh comparable sales rather than treated as a fixed price.
How much does a Suter Detective Camera sell for at auction?
The recorded UK hammer price is £5,500, which is a wholesale saleroom figure excluding buyer's premium and does not reflect dealer retail asking prices.
Why is the price range so uncertain?
Only one verified sale is on file, so there is no median or range to quote; condition, completeness, and originality of the lens and plate holders will drive significant variation around that benchmark.