Newman & Guardia New Ideal Sibyl
The Newman & Guardia New Ideal Sibyl is a British folding plate and rollfilm camera, part of the Sibyl family produced by the London maker Newman & Guardia in the early twentieth century. It was a precision-built compact folder aimed at serious amateur and professional photographers, and sat at the upper end of the market when new.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the New Ideal Sibyl have ranged from about £110 to £240, with a median around £190 based on six recorded saleroom results. Older sales from the early 2000s and a 2011 Leitz auction reached £260–£340, but the more recent trend through 2025 shows the camera typically sells for £110–£240 today, with condition, completeness of the leather case, and a working pneumatic shutter the main factors driving what one is worth.
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: April 2025
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Apr 2025 | £112 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 271) Title: A Newman & Guardia New Ideal Sibyl 3¼x4¼' Plate Camera
Description:
1913, black, serial no. E508, with Ross Xpres f/4.5 136mm lens, serial no. 107220, body, G, shutter working, bellows require some attention, lens, VG, |
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| Apr 2023 | £150 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 144) Title: A Newman and Guardia New Ideal Sibyl 3¼ x 4¼'' Folding Plate Camera
Description:
A Newman and Guardia New Ideal Sibyl 3¼ x 4¼'' Folding Plate Camera, serial no 601444, with rising front, shutter sluggish, body G, some wear, |
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| Jan 2022 | £236 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 212) Title: Newman & Guardia New Ideal Sibyl Roll Film Folding Camera
Description:
black, c.1913, body VG-E, shutter working, bellows G-VG condition, with Ross Xpres 136mm f/4.5 lens, optics G-VG, haze and dust present, with makers (Qty: 1) |
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| Nov 2015 | EUR 300 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 28 (Lot AI_28_32878) Title: Newman & Guardia New Ideal Sibyl
Description:
uncommon 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 camera in very good original condition, with Cooke Aviar Series II 4.5/5 1/4" in working Newman & Guardia shutter, matching ground glass Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 800 |
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| May 2011 | EUR 340 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 19 (Lot AI_19_12854) Title: Newman & Guardia New Ideal Sibyl
Description:
3 ¼ x 4 ¼“ (ca. 8x10cm), rare type in very fine original condition with Dallmeyer Serac 4.5/5.3' no.122650, case, original platefilm magazine, original filmpack holder, 6 plateholders and a metal ready-load back Estimate: EUR 500 - EUR 600 |
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| Dec 2002 | £258 | Christie's | |
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Auction: THE BRITISH CAMERA 1840-1960 THE JIM BARRON COLLECTION (Lot 55) Title: New Ideal Sibyl no. E575
Description:
New Ideal Sibyl no. E575 Estimate: £80 - £120 |
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| Jul 2001 | £141 | Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS & PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 389) Title: New Ideal Sibyl no. E370
Description:
New Ideal Sibyl no. E370 Estimate: £200 - £300 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Newman & Guardia New Ideal Sibyl worth today?
Recent UK auction hammer prices in 2025 have been around £110–£240, with the median value sitting near £190 across the last few years of recorded sales.
How much does a New Ideal Sibyl sell for at auction?
Typical recent results sell for between roughly £110 and £240 at the hammer, though earlier sales at Christie's and Leitz reached £260–£340 when exceptional examples appeared.
What affects the price of a New Ideal Sibyl?
Condition of the pneumatic shutter, bellows integrity, originality of the lens, and presence of the original leather case are the main factors that move the value up or down.