Suter Stereo Camera (tailboard)
The Suter Stereo Camera (tailboard) is a wooden tailboard-pattern stereo camera, a 19th-century plate format designed to record paired images for stereoscopic viewing. Built in the era when tailboard construction was standard for studio and field cameras, it was positioned as a specialist instrument for stereo photography rather than a general-purpose camera.
Auction data for this model is extremely thin: a single UK saleroom hammer result from January 2000 stands at £172, which gives a reference point but no usable range or median for today's market. Because hammer prices reflect wholesale auction levels rather than dealer retail, what a Suter tailboard stereo is worth in 2026 will depend heavily on completeness, condition of the bellows and woodwork, and whether the original lenses are present — collectors should treat the historical figure as indicative only when judging what one currently sells for.
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2000 | £172 | Christie's | |
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Auction: Photographs, Cameras and Photographic Equipment (Lot 406) Title: Tailboard camera
Description:
Tailboard camera Estimate: £25 - £200 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Suter Stereo Camera (tailboard) worth today?
Public auction evidence is limited to one UK hammer result of £172, so a precise current value cannot be given; price will hinge on condition, completeness and whether matched lenses are fitted.
How much does a Suter tailboard stereo camera sell for at auction?
The only recorded UK saleroom hammer price in our data is £172, achieved at Christie's in January 2000, which remains the single reference point for this model.
What affects the price of an antique stereo tailboard camera?
Bellows integrity, original matched lenses and shutters, an intact stereo septum, and the condition of the wood and brass fittings are the main factors that move the value up or down.