Thornton-pickardmfg. Co. Amber
The Thornton-Pickard Amber is an early British plate camera, sold by Thornton-Pickard Manufacturing Co. of Altrincham, the firm best known for its roller-blind shutters. It belongs to the late-Victorian and Edwardian wave of folding and field plate cameras aimed at amateur photographers.
At UK auction in today's market the Amber is a low-value collectable: hammer prices recorded range from £100 to £160, with the two known results sitting either side of a roughly £130 midpoint. Because these are wholesale saleroom hammer figures rather than dealer retail, what a Thornton-Pickard Amber sells for in a shop window can be higher, and condition, completeness of the shutter and presence of a dark slide all materially affect value.
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: October 2025
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Oct 2025 | £100 | Tennants Auctioneers | |
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Auction: Scientific & Musical Instruments, Cameras & Tools (Lot 248) Title: Thornton Pickard Amber Plate Camera
Description:
4x3”, mahogany body and brass fittings, with Cooke Series III 5.56” lens, tripod and plate holders |
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| Sep 2005 | £156 | Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 268) Title: Amber field camera
Description:
Amber field camera Estimate: £120 - £180 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Thornton-Pickard Amber worth today?
Recent UK auction hammer prices sit between roughly £100 and £160, so a complete working example is typically worth around £130 at saleroom level.
How much does a Thornton-Pickard Amber sell for at auction?
The two recorded hammer results are £100 (2025) and £156 (2005), giving a price band of about £100–£160 before buyer's premium.
What affects the value of a Thornton-Pickard Amber?
Condition of the bellows, working order of the roller-blind shutter and the presence of original plate holders are the main factors that move the price up or down.