Schatz & Sons Sola
The Schatz & Sons Sola is a collector-grade camera that appears in specialist auction catalogues rather than mainstream photographic retail. Public documentation on this specific model is limited, so buyers typically rely on saleroom precedent when assessing its value.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Sola have sat in a £1,300–£2,500 range across the four recorded results, with a median around £1,500 — these are wholesale saleroom figures, not dealer retail. The highest result (£2,500) dates to 2005, while the two most recent sales in 2014 and 2017 settled between £1,300 and £1,400, suggesting that in today's market a clean example sells for around the lower-to-middle end of that band. Because only a handful of hammer results exist, a single standout example can move the perceived value materially.
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.
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Nov 2021 | £744 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science (Lot 246) Title: A Schatz & Sohne Sola Subminiature Camera
Description:
1937, chrome, serial no. 914, with Schneider Kinoplan f/3 25mm lens, chrome, serial no. 1376956, body, VG, shutter not working, lens, VG |
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| Jun 2017 | EUR 1,400 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 31 (Lot AI_31_35612) Title: Schatz & Söhne Sola
Description:
rare subminiature camera with clockwork motor, for exposures 13x18mm on unperforated film, these cameras were used by the German secret service in WW2, in excellent condition, with Schneider Xenon 2/2.5cm no.1320593, front cap Estimate: EUR 2,000 - EUR 2,400 |
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| Mar 2014 | EUR 1,300 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 25 (Lot AI_25_29867) Title: Schatz & Söhne Sola
Description:
for 13x18mm exposures on unperforated film, rare subminiature with clockwork motor, these cameras were used by the German secret service in WW2, very good condition with Kinoplan 3/2.5cm no.1364040 Estimate: EUR 1,600 - EUR 2,000 |
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| May 2010 | EUR 1,700 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 17 (Lot AI_17_11532) Title: Schatz & Söhne Sola
Description:
for exposures 13x18mm on un-perforated film, rare subminiature with clockwork motor, these cameras were used by the German secret service in WW2, very good condition with Kinoplan 3/2.5cm no.1420895, original leather case Estimate: EUR 1,600 - EUR 2,000 |
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| Nov 2005 | EUR 2,500 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 8 (Lot AI_8_25514) Title: Schatz & Soehne Sola
Description:
for exposures 13x18mm on unperforated film, rare subminiature with clockwork motor, these cameras were used by the German secret service in WW2, very good condition with 2 lenses (Xenon 2/2.5cm no.1230587, Kinoplan 3/2.5cm no.1114411 with original Sola cap), original leather case, copy of the instructions Estimate: EUR 2,400 - EUR 2,800 |
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| May 2005 | £480 | Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS, PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT AND OPTICAL TOYS INCLUDING (Lot 211) Title: Sola no. 723
Description:
Sola no. 723 Estimate: £600 - £900 |
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| Sep 2004 | £956 | Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 278) Title: Sola no. 826
Description:
Sola no. 826 Estimate: £1,200 - £1,800 |
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| Sep 2001 | £1,645 | Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 206) Title: Sola camera no. 537
Description:
Sola camera no. 537 Estimate: £800 - £1,200 |
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