Thornton-pickardmfg. Co. Aerial Camera
The Thornton-Pickard Mfg. Co. Aerial Camera is a British-made plate camera built for aerial photography, dating from the early twentieth century when Thornton-Pickard supplied military and reconnaissance equipment. It is a specialist large-format apparatus rather than a general-purpose hand camera, and survives today primarily as a collector and museum piece.
Auction evidence for this model is thin: only two UK saleroom hammer results are on file, at £258 (2001) and £1,610 (1999), giving a recorded range of roughly £260–£1,600 with a midpoint near £930. Because these are historic hammer prices from Christie's — wholesale levels excluding commission — today's value depends heavily on completeness, originality and provenance, and any current sale would need fresh comparables to price with confidence.
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 2001
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2001 | £258 | Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS & PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 334) Title: Aerial camera no. 279
Description:
Aerial camera no. 279 Estimate: £200 - £400 |
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| Oct 1999 | £1,610 | Christie's | |
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Auction: Cameras and Optical Toys (Lot 291) Title: Aerial camera no. 183
Description:
Aerial camera no. 183 Estimate: £1,000 - £1,500 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Thornton-Pickard Aerial Camera worth today?
Recorded UK auction hammer prices sit between roughly £260 and £1,600, but with only two sales on file the figure for any individual example depends strongly on condition, completeness and provenance.
How much does a Thornton-Pickard Aerial Camera sell for at auction?
The two logged Christie's hammer results were £258 and £1,610, so the price a given example fetches can vary by an order of magnitude depending on originality and accessories.
Why do prices for this camera vary so widely?
Aerial cameras were built in small numbers for service use, so survival condition, military provenance and the presence of original plate holders and lens drive each example's value far more than for mass-market consumer cameras.