Valery Etui-Jumelle
The Valery Etui-Jumelle is a rare French camera that surfaces only occasionally on the specialist collector market. With limited public documentation available, it is best understood today as a scarce early French maker's piece valued primarily by advanced collectors rather than users.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Etui-Jumelle have ranged from roughly £3,000 to £14,000, with a median around £12,000 across the three recorded saleroom results. Because these are wholesale auction-hammer figures rather than dealer retail, what an Etui-Jumelle is worth in 2026 depends heavily on completeness, condition and provenance, and a single example can sell for several times another if presentation differs. Buyers searching for what one of these sells for should expect wide dispersion given how thinly it trades.
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 2021
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| Jun 2021 | EUR 1,600 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 38 (Lot AI_38_37236) Title: Valery Photo-Étui-Jumelle Detective Camera
Description:
Detective camera disguised as a binocular case. Patented in 1891 by Franck Valéry. The metal body is covered with leather. To use the camera, you open the cover of the 'binocular case' and spread the two sides apart. Two struts hold the back open and accept a film holder. These cameras were made for only a short time, with limited sale success. Very few examples have survived. The leather covering is worn with few parts missing and the shutter needs maintenance, still it is one of the rarest of the disguised cameras and a rare collector's opportunity. Estimate: EUR 2,400 - EUR 2,600 |
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| Jun 2020 | EUR 3,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 36 (Lot AI_36_37236) Title: Valery Photo-Étui-Jumelle Detective Camera
Description:
Detective camera disguised as a binocular case. Patented in 1891 by Franck Valéry. The metal body is covered with leather. To use the camera, you open the cover of the 'binocular case' and spread the two sides apart. Two struts hold the back open and accept a film holder. These cameras were made for only a short time, with limited sale success. Very few examples have survived. The leather covering is worn with few parts missing and the shutter needs maintenance, still it is one of the rarest of the disguised cameras and a rare collector's opportunity. Estimate: EUR 6,000 - EUR 7,000 |
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| Jun 2019 | EUR 4,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 34 (Lot AI_34_37236) Title: Valery Photo-Étui-Jumelle Detective Camera
Description:
Detective camera disguised as a binocular case. Patented in 1891 by Franck Valéry. The metal body is covered with leather. To use the camera, you open the cover of the 'binocular case' and spread the two sides apart. Two struts hold the back open and accept a film holder. These cameras were made for only a short time, with limited sale success. Very few examples have survived. The leather covering is worn with few parts missing and the shutter needs maintenance, still it is one of the rarest of the disguised cameras and a rare collector's opportunity. Estimate: EUR 8,000 - EUR 10,000 |
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| Jun 2015 | EUR 6,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 27 (Lot AI_27_31663) Title: VALÉRY Photo-Étui-Jumelle
Description:
Detective camera disguised as a binocular case. Patented in 1891 by Franck Valéry. The formed sheet-metal body is covered with leather. To use the camera, you open the cover of the “binocular case” and spread the two sides apart. Two knee-struts hold the back open and accept a film holder. Rapid Rectilinear lens, non-self-capping guillotine shutter. This is one of the rarest of the disguised cameras. They were made for only a short time, with limited success. Very few examples have survived. The leather shows signs of age typical for this camera - ex Jim McKeown Collection Estimate: EUR 10,000 - EUR 12,000 |
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| Nov 2012 | EUR 12,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 22 (Lot AI_22_14343) Title: VALÉRY Photo-Étui-Jumelle
Description:
Detective camera disguised as a binocular case. Patented in 1891 by Franck Valéry. The formed sheet-metal body is covered with leather. To use the camera, you open the cover of the “binocular case” and spread the two sides apart. Two knee-struts hold the back open and accept a film holder. Rapid Rectilinear lens, non-self-capping guillotine shutter. This is one of the rarest of the disguised cameras. They were made for only a short time, with limited success. Very few examples have survived. The leather shows signs of age typical for this camera - ex Jim McKeown Collection Estimate: EUR 16,000 - EUR 20,000 |
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| Dec 2009 | EUR 13,500 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 16 (Lot AI_16_19342) Title: VALÉRY Photo-Étui-Jumelle
Description:
Detective camera disguised as a binocular case. Patented in 1891 by Franck Valéry. The formed sheet-metal body is covered with leather. To use the camera, you open the cover of the “binocular case” and spread the two sides apart. Two knee-struts hold the back open and accept a filmholder. Rapid Rectilinear lens, non-self-capping guillotine shutter. This is one of the rarest of the disguised cameras. They were made for only a short time, with limited success. Very few examples have survived. The leather shows signs of age typical for this camera - ex Jim McKeown collection Estimate: EUR 16,000 - EUR 20,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Valery Etui-Jumelle worth today?
Based on UK auction hammer results, an Etui-Jumelle has sold for between about £3,000 and £14,000, with the middle of the range near £12,000. Individual value depends strongly on condition and completeness.
How much does a Valery Etui-Jumelle sell for at auction?
Recorded hammer prices fall in a £3,000–£14,000 band at specialist UK sales. With only a handful of public results, the price any given example fetches can vary widely.
Is the Valery Etui-Jumelle a rare camera?
Yes. Public sales records are very thin, which is one reason hammer prices reach into four figures even for examples in moderate condition.