Sanderson Tropical
The Sanderson Tropical is a wood-bodied British field camera built for use in hot and humid climates, with brass fittings and tropical hardwood construction in place of the leatherette and steel used on standard models. It belongs to the family of plate and roll-film view cameras Sanderson produced in the United Kingdom from the late 1890s onward, and was positioned as a specialist export and colonial-service tool.
Auction evidence for the Sanderson Tropical is thin: the only recorded UK saleroom result in our data is a single hammer price of £293 from 2002, so any sense of today's value rests on that one wholesale auction figure rather than a current market median. Condition of the wood, brass and bellows is the dominant variable, and a clean, complete example with original lens and shutter would be expected to sell for materially more today than a stripped or shrunken one.
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: September 2002
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2002 | £293 | Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 268) Title: Sanderson tropical hand camera no. 26129
Description:
Sanderson tropical hand camera no. 26129 Estimate: £200 - £400 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Sanderson Tropical worth today?
On the limited auction record available, a Sanderson Tropical sold for £293 hammer at a UK saleroom in 2002; with only one data point, a confident current price cannot be quoted, and condition and completeness drive what any individual example sells for.
How much does a Sanderson Tropical sell for at auction?
The single recorded UK auction hammer price in our data is £293, achieved in 2002. Buyers should expect significant variation around that figure depending on woodwork, bellows and original fittings.
Why is the Tropical version more collectable than a standard Sanderson?
Tropical-specification cameras were built in smaller numbers using hardwood and brass for use in humid climates, and that scarcity together with their visual appeal generally supports a price premium over standard leather-covered Sanderson field cameras.