Wood Wet plate camera
The Wood wet plate camera is a 19th-century large-format apparatus built around the wet collodion process, in which a glass plate is sensitised, exposed, and developed while still wet. Cameras of this construction were typically made of timber with brass fittings and used for studio or field portraiture before the dry plate took over in the 1880s.
Sales evidence for this listing is thin: a single Christie's hammer result of £2,070 from January 2000 is the only data point, so the figure reflects a UK auction sale rather than a retail or dealer asking price. With one record and a quarter-century gap to today in 2026, that number should be treated as historical context rather than a guide to what one is worth now, and condition, completeness of plate holders, and maker attribution will swing any current value considerably.
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 2000
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2000 | £2,070 | Christie's | |
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Auction: Photographs, Cameras and Photographic Equipment (Lot 411) Title: Wood camera
Description:
Wood camera Estimate: £300 - £500 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Wood wet plate camera worth today?
The only recorded UK auction sale in our data is £2,070 at Christie's in 2000, so a current price cannot be reliably stated; condition, maker, and included accessories drive the value heavily.
How much does a Wood wet plate camera sell for at auction?
Evidence is limited to one hammer result of £2,070, which was achieved at a London saleroom and excludes buyer's premium.
Why do wet plate camera prices vary so much?
Price depends on the maker, the survival of original plate holders and lens, and the condition of the wood and bellows, all of which can shift value by a wide margin.