Dubroni Photo-Eclair Dubroni
The Photo-Eclair Dubroni is a 19th-century French detective camera produced by Dubroni, known for compact wet-collodion and early dry-plate apparatus. It was a small-format plate camera positioned for discreet, hand-held use during the early era of amateur photography.
With only a single documented UK auction result on file, the Photo-Eclair Dubroni sells for around £1,800 at saleroom level (hammer price, excluding commission), based on a 2014 result. As of 2026 the price a collector can expect to pay is highly condition- and completeness-dependent, and any future hammer value would hinge on originality of fittings and the presence of period accessories.
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: March 2014
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Mar 2014 | EUR 1,800 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 25 (Lot AI_25_30267) Title: Dubroni/Fetter Le Photo-Eclair
Description:
French concealed vest camera designed by Joseph Fetter and manufactured by Dubroni, in nice condition, for 5 exposures 38x38mm on a 14cm round glass plate, very rare with 3 interchangeable plate backs Estimate: EUR 3,500 - EUR 4,000 |
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| May 2011 | EUR 1,400 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 19 (Lot AI_19_12834) Title: Dubroni/Fetter Le Photo-Eclair
Description:
French concealed vest camera designed by Joseph Fetter and manufactured by Dubroni, in nice condition, for 5 exposures 38x38mm on a 14cm round glass plate, original strap Estimate: EUR 2,500 - EUR 3,000 |
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| Dec 2009 | EUR 1,800 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 16 (Lot AI_16_19488) Title: Dubroni Le Photo-Eclair
Description:
French concealed vest camera designed by Joseph Fetter and manufactured by Dubroni, in nice condition, for 5 exposures 38x38mm on a 14cm round glass plate Estimate: EUR 2,500 - EUR 3,000 |
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| May 2006 | EUR 2,200 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 9 (Lot AI_9_27105) Title: Dubroni Le Photo-Eclair
Description:
rare concealed vest camera by Joseph Fetter in nice condition, for 5 exposures 4x4cm on a 14cm round glass plate Estimate: EUR 2,800 - EUR 3,200 |
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| Nov 2002 | EUR 2,000 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 1 (Lot AI_1_20850) Title: FETTER Paris PHOTO-ECLAIR
Description:
Concealed vest camera, designed by J.F.Fetter and manufactured by Dubroni in Paris, for five 4x4cm square exposures on dry plates, with finder, good condition |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Photo-Eclair Dubroni worth today?
The only verified UK auction record shows a hammer price of £1,800, so that figure is the best available reference for what one is worth, though a single data point makes the true market value uncertain.
How much does a Photo-Eclair Dubroni sell for at auction?
On the available evidence it sells for in the region of £1,800 at UK auction, with the final price highly sensitive to condition, originality and any accompanying accessories.
Why is the price data so limited?
The Photo-Eclair Dubroni appears very rarely in the saleroom, so published hammer results are sparse and any value estimate should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.