Butcher Primus No.2
The Butcher Primus No.2 is an early 20th-century British plate camera sold by W. Butcher & Sons, a London-based photographic retailer and assembler. It is a folding plate camera intended for amateur use during the era when sheet and plate photography was the consumer standard.
Sales data for the Primus No.2 is very thin: a single UK auction hammer result from August 2024 saw one sell for £12, which sets the only current reference point for what this camera is worth today. At saleroom level — wholesale hammer prices, before commission — examples in this category typically trade as decorative or shelf pieces rather than as working cameras, and condition of the bellows, shutter and ground glass will determine whether a given example sells for the low end of that figure or a little above.
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: August 2024
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2024 | £12 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 226) Title: A W. Butcher No.2 Primus Camera
Description:
black, body F, lens present optics F with haze, focus operates, shutter not tested, and another unidentified large box camera, P. |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Butcher Primus No.2 worth today?
Based on the only available UK auction record, a Primus No.2 sold for £12 hammer in 2024, so current value sits at the low end of the antique plate-camera market.
How much does a Butcher Primus No.2 sell for at auction?
With just one verified sale on file the price reference is £12, and that figure should be treated as indicative rather than a reliable median.
Is the Butcher Primus No.2 a usable camera?
It can be used if the bellows are light-tight and plate holders are present, but most examples are bought as display pieces rather than for active shooting.