Newman & Guardia Baby Sibyl (rangefinder)
The Newman & Guardia Baby Sibyl (rangefinder) is a British-made folding plate camera from the early twentieth century, produced by the London maker Newman & Guardia. It is a compact variant of the Sibyl range, fitted with a coupled rangefinder and aimed at serious amateur and professional users of its era.
At UK auction today the Baby Sibyl rangefinder is a thinly traded collector's item: recorded hammer results sit between roughly £1,200 and £1,400, with a midpoint close to £1,300. Because these are wholesale saleroom figures rather than dealer retail, condition of the bellows, shutter and rangefinder optics has a pronounced effect on what any individual example sells for, and price data in this segment is sparse enough that a single strong bidder can swing the result.
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: November 2015
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Nov 2015 | EUR 1,200 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 28 (Lot AI_28_32803) Title: Newman & Guardia Rangefinder Baby Sibyl
Description:
very rare Baby Sibyl for plates 4.5x6cm with built-in coupled rangefinder, it is thought that not more than 50 of the RF model were produced, with Ross Xpres 4.5/75mm no.141511, ground glass, six double film holders and leather outfit case, including 1938 Amateur Photographer magazine with an article about this camera on page 190 Estimate: EUR 2,000 - EUR 2,400 |
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| Dec 2009 | EUR 2,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 16 (Lot AI_16_19368) Title: Newman & Guardia Baby Sibyl RF
Description:
4.5x6cm, very rare version with rangefinder (needs attention), Ross XPress 4.5/75mm no.141520, focusing screen adapter, 3 film holders, original case Estimate: EUR 3,000 - EUR 3,500 |
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| Dec 2002 | £1,410 | Christie's | |
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Auction: THE BRITISH CAMERA 1840-1960 THE JIM BARRON COLLECTION (Lot 61) Title: Rangefinder Baby Sibyl no. B1416
Description:
Rangefinder Baby Sibyl no. B1416 Estimate: £1,000 - £1,500 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Newman & Guardia Baby Sibyl rangefinder worth today?
Based on the limited UK auction record, clean examples have sold in the £1,200 to £1,400 range at hammer, so a fair current value sits around the low-to-mid £1,300s for a working, cosmetically sound camera.
How much does a Baby Sibyl rangefinder sell for at auction?
Documented hammer prices are £1,200 and £1,410, giving a working price band of roughly £1,200–£1,400 before buyer's premium.
Is the Baby Sibyl rangefinder a good collector's camera?
It appeals primarily to collectors of early British precision cameras; values are supported by scarcity rather than usability, and the price is driven by condition of the shutter, bellows and rangefinder.