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Thornton-pickardmfg. Co. Imperial Perfecta

The Thornton-Pickard Imperial Perfecta is a British-made plate camera produced by the Thornton-Pickard Manufacturing Company of Altrincham, a maker active from the late 19th century into the early 20th century. It belongs to the era of wood-and-brass field and stand cameras using glass plate negatives, and today it is collected primarily as a piece of British photographic history rather than as a working tool.

Hammer prices at recent UK auction for the Imperial Perfecta have ranged from around £75 to £150, with the two recorded sales sitting either side of a roughly £110 midpoint. As of 2026, what an Imperial Perfecta is worth at saleroom level depends heavily on completeness — original lens, shutter, plate holders and bellows condition all influence the price it sells for, and the small sample size means individual results can swing widely.

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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.

Date Price Source
Apr 2023 £75 Flints Auctions
Jan 2023 £150 Flints Auctions
Dec 2010 EUR 200 Leitz Auction
Jun 2007 £84 Christie's

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