Richard (F.M.) Glyphoscope
The F.M. Richard Glyphoscope is a French stereoscopic camera for producing paired images on plates, a format popular from the late 19th into the early 20th century. It was sold as a combined stereo camera and viewer, a configuration Richard specialised in for the amateur stereo market of that era.
Auction evidence for the Glyphoscope is thin: the two UK hammer results on file are both £51, recorded at Christie's in 1998, so any sense of today's value rests on a very small and dated sample. Because these are saleroom hammer figures rather than retail asking prices, what a collector actually pays through a dealer in 2026 can be meaningfully higher, and condition of the optics, shutter and original case strongly influences what a Glyphoscope sells for.
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: May 1998
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1998 | £51 | Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 364) Title: Glyphoscope no. 52146
Description:
Glyphoscope no. 52146 Estimate: £20 - £100 |
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| Mar 1998 | £51 | Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS & OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 333) Title: Le Glyphoscope no: 34539
Description:
Le Glyphoscope no: 34539 Estimate: £60 - £80 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is an F.M. Richard Glyphoscope worth today?
The only UK auction records on file are two 1998 Christie's hammer sales at £51 each, so the available price evidence is both limited and dated and should be treated as indicative only.
How much does a Glyphoscope sell for at auction?
On the hammer results we have, the Glyphoscope sold for £51, but with just two data points the realistic range for a clean, complete example in today's market cannot be stated with confidence.
Is the Glyphoscope a stereo camera?
Yes, it is a French stereoscopic plate camera that also functioned as a viewer, aimed at amateur stereo photographers.