Wünsche Mars Detective Camera (Spy Camera)
The Wünsche Mars Detective Camera is a late 19th / early 20th century German-made detective or "spy" camera, a category of disguised or concealed plate cameras designed to be used discreetly rather than on a tripod. Wünsche, based in Saxony, was among several German makers producing this type of body for amateur use during the early plate-camera era.
Sales data for the Mars Detective Camera is extremely thin: a single recorded UK auction hammer result of £940 from 2001 is the only data point available, so a reliable current value or median cannot be calculated. Today, examples in this niche tend to be condition- and completeness-sensitive, and what one is worth in 2026 depends heavily on whether it appears in a specialist saleroom; without recent comparables, any quoted price would be speculative.
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: May 2001
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2001 | £940 | Christie's | |
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Auction: MAGIC LANTERNS, OPTICAL TOYS AND CAMERAS (Lot 330) Title: Mars detective camera no. 5567
Description:
Mars detective camera no. 5567 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Wünsche Mars Detective Camera worth today?
There is only one recorded auction result in our data — a hammer price of £940 in 2001 — so a current market value cannot be reliably stated; collectors should treat any price as dependent on condition, completeness, and the specific saleroom.
How much does a Wünsche Mars Detective Camera sell for at auction?
With just a single UK auction-hammer data point on file, there is no meaningful range to quote; a fresh specialist sale would be needed to establish what the camera sells for in the current market.
Is the Wünsche Mars a rare camera?
Detective-style cameras from smaller German makers like Wünsche appear infrequently at auction, and the lack of recent recorded sales suggests the Mars is uncommon rather than routinely traded.