Tourtin L'Orthoscope
The Tourtin L'Orthoscope is a French-made camera offered by the Paris workshop of Tourtin. Surviving examples are uncommon, and the model appears in specialist auction catalogues rather than general sale rooms.
Auction data is thin: a single recorded UK saleroom result from November 2015 saw an L'Orthoscope sell for £6,000 at hammer, which sets the only firm price reference for what this camera is worth today. With just one verified data point, that figure should be read as an indicator rather than a reliable median, and present-day value will depend heavily on completeness, condition and bidder competition on the day.
Sales History
Prices shown are realised prices — auction results and completed eBay sales, never asking prices. Most saleroom figures are hammer prices, before commission; some houses publish a premium-inclusive figure, and we do not adjust for condition. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher. How this figure is calculated.
Prices updated: June 2019
| Date | Price | Value GBP | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2019 | EUR 6,500 | £5,792 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 34 (Lot AI_34_37185) Title: Tourtin, Paris L'Orthoscope Reflex Camera
Description:
This extremely rare camera was the first French reflex camera, for plates 9x12cm, Darlot Planigraphe lens no.13116, Luxus model in vanished mahogany, red leather hood, brass engraved lens cap, inside stamped with serial number '4', in fantastic original condition, less than 5 of these beautifully designed cameras are known to exist Estimate: EUR 6,000 - EUR 7,000 |
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| Jun 2017 | EUR 4,000 | £3,509 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 31 (Lot AI_31_35647) Title: Tourtin, Paris L'Orthoscope
Description:
This extremely rare camera was the first French reflex camera, for plates 9x12cm, Darlot Planigraphe lens no.13115, luxus model in vanished mahogany, red leather hood, brass engraved lens cap, inside stamped with serial number '4', in fantastic original condition, less than 5 of these beautifully designed cameras are known to exist Estimate: EUR 7,000 - EUR 9,000 |
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| Nov 2015 | EUR 6,000 | £4,239 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 28 (Lot AI_28_32910) Title: Tourtin, Paris L'Orthoscope
Description:
This extremely rare camera was the first French reflex camera, for plates 9x12cm, Darlot Planigraphe lens no.13116, Luxus model in vanished mahogany, red leather hood, brass engraved lens cap, inside stamped with serial number '4', in fantastic original condition, less than 5 of these beautifully designed cameras are known to exist Estimate: EUR 10,000 - EUR 12,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a Tourtin L'Orthoscope sell for?
The only verified UK auction record shows one selling for £6,000 at hammer in 2015; with so few sales on record, current prices can vary substantially around that figure.
What is a Tourtin L'Orthoscope worth in 2026?
There is insufficient recent sales data to quote a reliable market value today, and any estimate should be anchored to the single £6,000 hammer price from 2015 pending fresh auction evidence.
Why is pricing data so limited for this model?
The L'Orthoscope rarely appears at auction, so the published price history reflects scarcity rather than a settled market range.