Compagnie Francaise de Photographie Photosphere 1
The Photosphere 1 is an early spherical-bodied detective camera produced in France by Compagnie Française de Photographie in the 1890s. Its distinctive hemispherical shutter and rounded brass body made it one of the more unusual designs of the late Victorian era, and it was sold as a compact instrument for plate photography.
At UK auction the Photosphere 1 is a scarce lot, with hammer prices recorded between roughly £720 and £2,800 — wholesale saleroom results that exclude buyer's and seller's premiums. With only a handful of sales to reference, the value today in 2026 is highly condition- and completeness-dependent: examples retaining the original case, plate holders and an intact shutter mechanism sit at the upper end of that range, while incomplete bodies sell for far less.
Variants
Select a variant to filter the sales history below.
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| chrome | — | — | 0 | — |
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 2023
| Date | Price | Source | Variant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2023 | EUR 1,600 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 42 (Lot AI_20220121_1128_41459) Title: Compagnie Francaise de Photographie Le Photosphere
Description:
The Photosphère was designed in France by Napoléon Conti in the 1880s as a robust and lightweight camera which could resist weather conditions in tropical countries. The example offered is a very rare and early first version for 9x12cm, in original and working condition, with very rare E. Krauss/Zeiss Protar 8/124mm no.31638 with aperture iris (front lens cap), external finder, rare special Kodak vertical roll-film back no.2372 Estimate: EUR 3,200 - EUR 3,600 |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Oct 2019 | £1,200 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
|
Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 330) Title: A Compagnie Francaise de Photographie Photosphere
Description:
1888, 9x12cm, all metal, serial no. 2235, body, VG, shutter working, lens, G-VG, some internal haze, with one DDS. |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Nov 2015 | EUR 2,800 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 28 (Lot AI_28_32606) Title: Compagnie Francaise de Photographie Le Photosphere
Description:
9x12cm, anodised metal body, hemispherical shutter, original lens, original finder, rare with plate magazine back no. 951 for 12 plates and handle engraved: COMPAGNIE FRANCAISE DE PHOTOGRAPHIE 7.Rue Solferino. PARIS "LE PHOTOSPHERE", camera and magazine in fine original condition Estimate: EUR 2,000 - EUR 2,400 |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Jan 2007 | £720 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
|
Auction: The Ganz Collection of Magic Lanterns, Optical Toys & Pre-Cinema (Lot 11) Title: Photosphere no. 2474
Description:
Photosphere no. 2474 Estimate: £800 - £1,200 |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Nov 2002 | £1,116 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
|
Auction: PHOTOGRAPHS, MAGIC LANTERNS AND OPTICAL TOYS AND CAMERAS (Lot 479) Title: Photosphere no. 1974
Description:
Photosphere no. 1974 Estimate: £900 - £1,200 |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Jan 1998 | £805 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
|
Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 467) Title: Le Photosphère no. 1854
Description:
Le Photosphère no. 1854 Estimate: £600 - £900 |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
Frequently asked questions
What is a Compagnie Française de Photographie Photosphere 1 worth today?
Recorded UK auction hammer prices range from about £720 to £2,800, so the value depends heavily on completeness and the condition of the shutter.
How much does a Photosphere 1 sell for at auction?
Two reference sales sit at £720 and £2,800 at hammer, giving a wide price spread driven by condition and the presence of original accessories.
Why does the Photosphere 1 price vary so much?
Because so few examples come to market, each sale is set by its own merits — a complete, working camera with plate holders sells for many times the price of a stripped or damaged body.