Prestwich Manufacturing Patent Kine camera (model 4)
The Prestwich Manufacturing Patent Kine camera (model 4) is an early cinematographic camera, a piece of motion-picture equipment from the formative period of British film hardware rather than a still camera. As a specialist Kine apparatus it was aimed at professional and trade users handling cine film.
Data on what this camera is worth at UK auction is extremely thin: a single recorded hammer result from March 2018 reached £17,000, reflecting wholesale saleroom level rather than retail. With only one data point through to today, it is not possible to publish a reliable price range or median, and the figure that example sells for is best treated as indicative of high-end interest from collectors and institutions.
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 2018
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Mar 2018 | EUR 17,000 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 32 (Lot AI_32_36462) Title: Prestwich Manufacturing Company Prestwich Model 4
Description:
The Prestwich Manufacturing Company of Tottenham was founded by John Alfred Prestwich in 1890, the company produced motion picture cameras and introduced several innovations. The Prestwich Model 4 was the first camera to take interchangeable lenses as well as interchangeable 50 feet and 400 feet magazines. The lens panel is removable for changing lenses, it has a dial recording the length of film used. The camera is in beautiful original condition, mahogany body and brass fittings. It is in very good working order, stamped inside 'Prestwich Manfg Co, Tottenham London no.661' + maker's plaque 'The "PRESTWICH" Camera patent' and dealer's plaque 'London Stereoscopic Co.', original Dallmeyer Special Stigmatic 3" no.64365 with special hood, crank, two 400 feet mahogany film magazines, with wooden shipping box - an important cine camera, very few are known to exist in this condition! Estimate: EUR 26,000 - EUR 30,000 |
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| Nov 2012 | EUR 16,000 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 22 (Lot AI_22_14423) Title: Prestwich Manufacturing Company Prestwich Model 4
Description:
The Prestwich 4 was unique as the first camera to introduce interchangeable lenses (Dallmeyer 2" and 3") as well as interchangeable 50 feet and 400 feet magazines. The lens panel is removable so that lenses could be quickly changed and at the top left of the side panel is a dial recording the amount of film used. This camera reputedly filmed Queen Victoria's funeral procession in 1901 and was certainly used until the Olympic Games in London in 1908 and probably till the First World War. In very good condition with original crank. Estimate: EUR 14,000 - EUR 16,000 |
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| Oct 2001 | £9,400 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
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Auction: MOTION PICTURE CAMERAS (Lot 65) Title: PRESTWICH MODEL 4, CIRCA 1898
Description:
PRESTWICH MODEL 4, CIRCA 1898 Estimate: £8,000 - £12,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Prestwich Manufacturing Patent Kine camera (model 4) worth today?
Only one UK auction sale is on record, which achieved a hammer price of £17,000 in 2018; with so little data, any current value estimate carries significant uncertainty.
How much does a Patent Kine camera (model 4) sell for at auction?
The single recorded saleroom result is £17,000, but a reliable typical price cannot be quoted from one sale.
Why is the price so high compared with ordinary vintage cameras?
It is an early cinematographic apparatus rather than a consumer still camera, and surviving examples are scarce, which is why the recorded hammer price sits well above general vintage-camera levels.