Horne & Thornthwaite Collapsible camera
The Horne & Thornthwaite Collapsible camera is a 19th-century British wooden field camera produced by the London optical and photographic instrument firm Horne & Thornthwaite. As a collapsible plate camera, it folds for transport and was sold during the early decades of photography for use with sensitised glass plates.
Survival examples of this maker are scarce, and the only documented UK auction reference in our records is a single Christie's hammer result of £9,400 from December 2002 — a wholesale saleroom price rather than a retail figure. With just one historical data point, today's value of a Horne & Thornthwaite Collapsible camera is highly condition- and provenance-sensitive, and what one sells for at auction in 2026 would depend heavily on completeness, originality of fittings and the strength of bidding on the day.
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: December 2002
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2002 | £9,400 | Christie's | |
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Auction: THE BRITISH CAMERA 1840-1960 THE JIM BARRON COLLECTION (Lot 136) Title: Collapsible boxform camera
Description:
Collapsible boxform camera Estimate: £6,000 - £8,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Horne & Thornthwaite Collapsible camera worth today?
The only verified UK auction reference in our data is a £9,400 hammer price at Christie's in December 2002, so current value is best treated as indicative rather than a firm market price.
How much does a Horne & Thornthwaite Collapsible camera sell for at auction?
Recorded sales are extremely thin, but the documented Christie's result shows that strong examples have reached the four-figure-thousands range at saleroom level, with the final price driven by condition, completeness and provenance.
Why is the price so variable?
Early wooden cameras of this kind trade infrequently, so each sale sets its own benchmark; originality of the bellows, lens and fittings can move the price dramatically.