Shew Patent Eclipse
The Shew Patent Eclipse is a British-made folding plate camera from the late Victorian era, built for dry-plate photography in a compact, collapsible wooden body. When new it was positioned as a portable field camera aimed at travelling and amateur photographers who wanted a lighter alternative to conventional plate cameras.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Shew Patent Eclipse have ranged from around £100 to £320, with the 2024 sale settling at £162 — a reasonable guide to what a presentable example is worth today. Results in this market are condition-sensitive: bellows integrity, completeness of the plate holders and the state of the mahogany and brass fittings drive how much a given camera sells for at saleroom level.
Sales History
Prices shown are realised prices — auction results and completed eBay sales, never asking prices. Most saleroom figures are hammer prices, before commission; some houses publish a premium-inclusive figure, and we do not adjust for condition. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher. How this figure is calculated.
Prices updated: January 2024
| Date | Price | Value GBP | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2024 | £162 | £130 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 477) Title: A Shew & Co Patent Eclipse Mahogany Eclipse Camera
Description:
body G-VG, attention required to rise & fall screw area, spring shutter working, lens optics VG, some light dust & cleaning marks present, with (Qty: 1) |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Oct 2022 | £250 | £200 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 537) Title: A Shew & Co Patent Eclipse 4 x 5" Mahogany Strut Folding Camera
Description:
1890s, maroon red bellows, Shew Darlot Paris brass lens with internal shutter, body G, lens F, haze, with DDS |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Nov 2018 | £102 | £85 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 1345) Title: A Shew & Co. Patent Eclipse 4x5" Mahogany Folding Strut Camera
Description:
1891, with Shew Ross lens, serial no. 1830, body, G, damages to rear standard and lens board, lens, VG, in maker's case |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Nov 2006 | EUR 320 | £216 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 10 (Lot AI_10_15680) Title: J.F. Shew & Co. Patent Eclipse
Description:
4x5", English folding strut-camera for dry-plates, the mahogany body with oxidized brass fittings and maroon leather bellows, a Shew-Darlot, Paris, no.1809, ƒ/8 lens in a rotating sector shutter, with accessory viewfinder. In very good original condition. Ex Spira Collection. Estimate: EUR 400 - EUR 500 |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Sep 1999 | £80 | £70 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
|
Auction: Cameras and Optical Toys (Lot 278) Title: Eclipse Patent camera no. 4102
Description:
Eclipse Patent camera no. 4102 Estimate: £25 - £200 |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
Frequently asked questions
What is a Shew Patent Eclipse worth today?
Recent UK auction hammer prices sit in the £100–£320 range, with a 2024 result of £162 offering a useful mid-market reference for the value of a complete, presentable example.
How much does a Shew Patent Eclipse sell for at auction?
Hammer prices have spanned roughly £100 to £320 over the available sales record, with the price depending heavily on bellows condition, completeness and the quality of the original fittings.
What should I check before buying one?
Focus on the bellows for light leaks, the folding mechanism for rigidity, and whether original plate holders are included, as these factors most strongly influence the price a buyer should expect to pay.