A homeowner in Oxfordshire sold a 19th‑century Victorian camera at Churchill Auctions for £18,000, the hammer price reflecting intense international bidding.
The camera, hidden in a leather case in the loft of the family home since 1996, was discovered during a routine clearance when the owner uncovered a well‑preserved mahogany and brass tailboard.
After a professional valuation, Churchill Auctions confirmed the camera as an outstanding example of late Victorian wet‑plate technology, noting its near‑museum condition and intact brass fittings.
The auction attracted bids from collectors worldwide, and the final sale price eclipsed estimates, with the winning bid placed by a specialist in 19th‑century scientific instruments.
Following the sale, the homeowner announced that the majority of the proceeds would be donated to UK wildlife conservation charities, honoring his late father’s passion for nature.
The donation is set to fund habitat restoration, woodland management, and native species protection projects across the region, linking a forgotten piece of photographic history to contemporary conservation efforts.