Marion Perfection
The Marion Perfection is a British-made plate camera from Marion & Co. of London, a 19th-century maker of wooden field and studio cameras. It was sold under the Perfection name as a folding plate camera for glass-plate photography.
Sales data for the Marion Perfection is extremely thin, so any guide to what one is worth today must be read with caution. The single recorded UK auction hammer result stands at £129, achieved at Christie's in July 2000, which gives an indicative wholesale value rather than a current retail price. With only one data point, the price a clean example sells for in 2026 will depend heavily on completeness, condition of the bellows and woodwork, and whether original plate holders are present.
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: May 2009
| Date | Price | Value GBP | Source | |
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| May 2009 | £180 | £180 | 🇬🇧 Bonhams | |
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Auction: Mechanical Music, Cameras, Railwayana, Fire Service and Police (Lot 501) Title: Marion's Perfection field camera 7
Description:
Marion & Co. Ltd 22 & 23 Soho square, London 10 x 12 inches mahogany and brass with maker's inset plate, a brass bound Busch Rapid Aplanat 12 inch lens, cap, head cloth, three double darkslides in maker's leather fitted case. (7) Estimate: £160 - £220 |
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| Oct 2006 | £90 | £90 | 🇬🇧 Bonhams | |
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Auction: Mechanical Music, Railwayana and Cameras (Lot 345) Title: Marion's Perfection field camera
Description:
Marion & Co. Ltd 22 & 23 Soho square, London 10 x 12 inches mahogany and brass with maker's inset plate, a brass bound Dallmeyer No. 3D lens, flap shutter by G. Jousset Paris, wooden tripod and two double darkslides. (6) See illustration Estimate: £100 - £150 |
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| Jul 2000 | £129 | £110 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 281) Title: Perfection field camera
Description:
Perfection field camera Estimate: £150 - £250 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Marion Perfection camera worth today?
Auction data is sparse: the only recorded UK hammer price is £129 from a Christie's sale, so current value is best judged on a case-by-case basis depending on condition and completeness.
How much does a Marion Perfection sell for at auction?
With just one verified UK auction result on file, at £129 hammer, the price any given example sells for will vary widely with condition, originality and the presence of plate holders.
Is the Marion Perfection a collectible camera?
It is of interest mainly to collectors of 19th-century British plate cameras and Marion & Co. items; broader market demand is limited, which keeps prices modest.