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Watson Magazine box camera

The Watson Magazine box camera is an early plate-format box camera with an internal magazine designed to hold and advance multiple glass plates without reloading between exposures. Magazine box cameras of this type were a common amateur format from the late 19th into the early 20th century, sitting between simpler single-plate boxes and later roll-film designs.

Evidence on what a Watson Magazine box camera is worth today is thin: only one UK auction hammer result is on file, a single example that sold for £88 in November 2023. As a wholesale saleroom price excluding buyer's and seller's commission, that figure suggests collectors currently value the model in the modest two-figure range, but with one data point the true price band cannot be defined and individual examples may sell for more or less depending on condition and completeness.

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: April 2026

Date Price Source
Apr 2026 £562 Flints Auctions
Nov 2023 £88 Flints Auctions

Frequently asked questions

What is a Watson Magazine box camera worth in 2026?

Based on the single UK auction hammer result on file, a Watson Magazine box camera sells for around £88, though with only one data point the realistic price range cannot be tightly defined.

How much does a Watson Magazine box camera sell for at auction?

The one recorded UK saleroom result shows a hammer price of £88 in late 2023; better or worse examples could trade outside that figure as more sales appear.

What affects the value of a Watson Magazine box camera?

Condition of the wooden body, a working plate-changing magazine, presence of the original plate holders, and a clean functioning lens and shutter are the main factors influencing price.