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.
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: April 2023
| Date | Price | Value GBP | Source | |
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| Apr 2023 | £75 | £60 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 306) Title: A Thornton Pickard Imperial Perfecta Half Plate Field Camera Body
Description:
mahogany and brass, appears complete but disassembled, no lens, A/F |
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| Jan 2023 | £150 | £120 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 548) Title: A Thornton-Pickard 'Imperial Perfecta' Half Plate Mahogany Field Camera
Description:
body G, some damage to one corner, the camera can still be set up correctly but may require attention in the future, together with a C. P. Goerz Dopp. (Qty: 1) |
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| Dec 2010 | EUR 200 | £170 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 18 (Lot AI_18_11679) Title: Thornton Pickard Imperial Perfecta
Description:
18x24cm, wooden camera with black bellows, dealer's plaque: Fritz Gratl Photogr. Manufactur Innsbruck, Thronton Pickard - Beck Symmetrical lens f/8 with roller-blind shutter (not operable), 4x wooden film holders Estimate: EUR 400 - EUR 500 |
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| Jun 2007 | £84 | £70 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
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Auction: Leica, Nikon, 35mm & Other Photographic Equipment (Lot 368) Title: Imperial Perfecta camera
Description:
Imperial Perfecta camera Estimate: £150 - £200 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Thornton-Pickard Imperial Perfecta worth today?
Recorded UK auction hammer results sit between roughly £75 and £150, so the value of a typical example currently falls within that range depending on condition and completeness.
How much does a Thornton-Pickard Imperial Perfecta sell for at auction?
The two logged UK auction sales achieved £75 and £150 respectively, giving an approximate midpoint price of around £110 at saleroom level.
What affects the price of an Imperial Perfecta?
Bellows integrity, the presence of the original lens and roller-blind shutter, and inclusion of plate holders are the main factors that move the price up or down.