Vive Cameraco. Vive No.3
The Vive No.3 is an early box-style plate camera from the Vive Camera Co., a US maker active in the late 1890s. It was a budget detective-style camera aimed at amateur photographers in the era when dry-plate and roll-film snapshot photography was first becoming widely accessible.
Sales data for the Vive No.3 is very thin: the only recorded UK auction hammer result we have is £31 from September 2023, so today's market value sits around that level for a complete example. Because this is a wholesale saleroom price rather than a dealer asking figure, retail prices for a presentable Vive No.3 in 2026 can sit somewhat higher, and condition is the main driver of what one 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.
Prices updated: September 2023
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2023 | £31 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 168) Title: A Vive No.3 Box Type Plate Camera
Description:
1897, black, body F-G, shutter not working, rack & pinion move well, optics F, some haze & fungus present, with plate holders inside, damage to rear (Qty: 1) |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Vive No.3 worth today?
Based on the single UK auction record available, a Vive No.3 is worth in the region of £30 at hammer, though clean complete examples with original plate holders can command more at retail.
How much does a Vive No.3 sell for at UK auction?
The only verified UK auction sale in our data is £31 in September 2023, so that figure is the best current reference price for what one sells for at the saleroom.
Is the Vive No.3 a rare camera?
It appears infrequently in UK auction listings, but scarcity alone has not pushed prices up — demand for late-1890s American box cameras remains modest.