Voigtlander& Sohn Daguerreotype (Metallcamera, replica)
The Voigtländer & Sohn Daguerreotype Metallcamera replica is a reproduction of the all-metal daguerreotype camera first produced in Vienna in 1841, one of the earliest commercially made photographic cameras. The original design used a Petzval portrait lens and a brass conical body, and modern replicas reproduce this form for collectors and museum display rather than for working photographic use.
UK auction hammer results (wholesale, not retail) for this replica are limited, with recorded sales of £1,176 in 2018 and £3,600 in 2008, giving a range of roughly £1,200–£3,600. As of today the market is thin and price is driven by build quality, provenance and completeness of fittings, so any current value estimate for what a replica sells for should lean on the condition of the specific example rather than a median figure.
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: November 2018
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2018 | £1,176 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 1322) Title: A Voigtlander Daguerreotype 'Metallcamera' Replica
Description:
1939-1978, brass, serial no. 090, body, VG, lens, VG, on brass stand |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Jun 2008 | EUR 3,600 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 13 (Lot AI_13_16897) Title: Voigtländer Daguerreotype Replica
Description:
official Voigtländer replica produced in 1956, for 80mm round images, lacquered brass body engraved 'No.84 Voigtländer & Sohn in Wien', Petzval 3.7/149mm lens with rack and pinion focus, on adjustable stand Estimate: EUR 2,000 - EUR 2,500 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
Frequently asked questions
What is a Voigtländer Daguerreotype Metallcamera replica worth at auction?
Recorded UK auction hammer prices sit between about £1,200 and £3,600, with only two confirmed sales, so the value of any individual replica depends heavily on build quality and provenance.
How much does a Daguerreotype Metallcamera replica sell for today?
There is no reliable current median price given the small sample, but recent auction evidence suggests a working range of roughly £1,200 upward for a well-made example.
Is a replica usable for photography?
Replicas are generally produced as collector and display pieces reproducing the 1841 Voigtländer design, and their photographic use is not a factor in how they are priced.