Hare Patent
The Hare Patent is a British-made wood-and-brass plate camera dating from the late-Victorian era, when George Hare of London produced tailboard and field cameras for professional and amateur photographers working with glass plates.
With only two recorded UK auction hammer results to reference, the Hare Patent has sold in a range of roughly £180–£350, giving a midpoint near £260 — these are wholesale saleroom prices and exclude commission. As of today in 2026, what a Hare Patent is worth depends heavily on bellows condition, completeness of plate holders, and the presence of a period lens, with cosmetically clean examples pulling toward the upper end of that band.
Sales History
Prices shown are realised prices — auction results and completed eBay sales, never asking prices. Most saleroom figures are hammer prices, before commission; some houses publish a premium-inclusive figure, and we do not adjust for condition. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher. How this figure is calculated.
Prices updated: July 1999
| Date | Price | Value GBP | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1999 | £345 | £300 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
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Auction: Cameras and Optical Toys (Lot 118) Title: Patent field camera
Description:
Patent field camera Estimate: £300 - £500 |
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| Nov -0001 | £175 | — | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 230) Title: A G. Hare Patent 8x10 Double Extension Mahogany & Brass Field Camera
Description:
1885, body G-VG, some dirt & areas of wear, with replacement knob & strut retaining block to the right side, ground glass VG, bellows F-G, some areas (Qty: 1) |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Hare Patent camera worth today?
Based on the limited UK auction record available, a Hare Patent has a value in the region of £180 to £350 at hammer, with condition and completeness being the main price drivers.
How much does a Hare Patent sell for at auction?
Recent UK saleroom results price the Hare Patent between roughly £180 and £350, and a clean, complete example sits toward the upper end of that range.
Is the Hare Patent a collectable camera?
Yes — it is a 19th-century British plate camera and appeals to collectors of early wood-and-brass equipment, though thin sales data means values can vary significantly between examples.