CameraWorth.com

Thornton-pickardmfg. Co. Ruby Stereo

The Thornton-Pickard Ruby Stereo is a British-made stereoscopic plate camera, produced by the Manchester firm Thornton-Pickard Manufacturing Co. for taking paired exposures used in stereo viewing. It belongs to the era of wooden-bodied folding plate cameras and was positioned as a specialist stereo variant within the Ruby line.

At UK auction, hammer prices for the Ruby Stereo recorded in our sales history sit between £410 and £820, with a midpoint around £620 — these figures are saleroom results and exclude buyer's premium. With only two tracked hammer results, both from the early 2000s, condition, completeness of the original stereo lens pairing and presence of plate holders heavily influence what an example sells for today in 2026.

I have one to sell

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: January 2022

Date Price Source
Jan 2022 £769 Flints Auctions
May 2003 £411 Christie's
Dec 2002 £822 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Thornton-Pickard Ruby Stereo worth?

Based on the limited UK auction data available, hammer prices have ranged from around £410 to £820, so the value of a complete, sound example sits broadly in that bracket before auction fees.

How much does a Ruby Stereo sell for at auction?

The two tracked UK hammer results are £411 and £822, giving an approximate median price near £620; cameras missing lenses or plate holders typically sell for less.

What affects the price of a Ruby Stereo today?

Condition of the wood and bellows, a working shutter, and the presence of both original lenses and plate holders are the main factors; incomplete cameras are worth noticeably less than those offered as a full outfit.

Other Thornton-pickardmfg. Co. cameras