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Lancaster Special Instantograph

The Lancaster Special Instantograph is a Victorian-era British plate camera produced by J. Lancaster & Son of Birmingham, introduced in the 1880s. Built as a folding mahogany-and-brass bellows camera for dry plates, it was sold as a general-purpose field camera during the late 19th century and remained in the Lancaster catalogue for many years in successive sizes.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Special Instantograph have ranged from roughly £50 to £210, with a median around £80 — these figures are saleroom results and reflect wholesale levels rather than dealer retail. As of 2026, what a Special Instantograph is worth today hinges heavily on completeness of the brass fittings, condition of the bellows, and whether a period lens and plate holders are present; tidy, complete outfits sell for multiples of what a stripped body fetches.

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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
Apr 2024 £80 Special Auction Services
Aug 2023 £80 Special Auction Services
Apr 2023 £50 Special Auction Services
Mar 2022 £212 Flints Auctions
Feb 2022 £162 Flints Auctions
Sep 2005 £96 Christie's

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