Perken Rayment's Patent
The Perken Rayment's Patent is an early British-made camera associated with the London optical maker Perken, Son & Rayment. It is a period instrument from the plate-camera era rather than a modern film or digital body, and survives today primarily as a collector's item.
At UK auction, hammer prices for the Rayment's Patent have been highly condition- and completeness-dependent, with recorded saleroom results ranging from £56 to £384 and a midpoint around £220. As of today in 2026, the value of any given example sells for a figure well inside that band depending on bellows, lens and overall presentation, and buyers should expect the price a clean outfit is worth to sit toward the upper end of the range.
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: July 2025
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2025 | £56 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 209) Title: A Perken and Sons Rayment Patent Camera Body
Description:
mahogany and brass construction, ca. 1886, body G, bellows appears G, opens and closes correctly, no lens fitted. Notes; SKA0514 Note: This lot |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Oct 2017 | £384 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 253) Title: A Perken, Son & Rayment "Rayment's Patent" Half Plate Mahogany Field Camera
Description:
1886, with J. M. Turnbull Optimus Waterhouse stop brass lens, body, VG, lens, VG, with single Waterhouse stop; The patent comprises the front panel |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
Frequently asked questions
What is a Perken Rayment's Patent worth today?
Recent UK auction hammer results sit between roughly £56 and £384, so most examples are worth somewhere in that range depending on condition and completeness.
How much does a Perken Rayment's Patent sell for at auction?
It sells for as little as £56 for a rough or incomplete example and up to about £384 for a cleaner, more complete outfit, based on the limited sales on record.
What drives the price of a Rayment's Patent?
Price is driven mainly by the condition of the bellows and woodwork, the presence of the original Perken lens and shutter, and whether plate holders and a case are included.