A generation ago the collecting market for photography was dominated by demand for the small number of surviving images from the pioneering years of the mid 19th century. Mediums such as the daguerreotype, the ambrotype or albumen, and salt prints (among the first commercially successful photographic processes) were the collecting zeitgeist. However, in recent decades the market has broadened substantially to embrace the more artistic works of 20th century photographers while also rewarding the masters of genres such as fashion photography and photojournalism. There exists too a quite different market for 19th century albums of topographical images and photo-illustrated books - particularly those taken in the Middle and the Far East and India that appeal to an international audience.
Sworders have sold examples of all of these works - including the 1992 dry transfer print of Genko Leaves by Irving Penn (American 1917-2009) for £61,000 in 2015.
Our specialists hold regular valuation days. Please contact us for more information, or complete the online form to enquire about the valuation of your items.
Want to know how much your Photography may be worth? Fill out our easy to use form and a member of the team will be in touch with free advice shortly.
An exciting selection of Peter Collingwood’s work is showcased in our upcoming Design sale, to be held on 14 July.
26 June 2026
We are pleased to offer a bronze ‘Tete de Femme’ floor lamp, after Alberto Giacometti for Jean Michel Frank, in our upcoming July Design sale.
23 June 2026
Japanese ceramics are highly appreciated for balanced coexistence of tradition and innovation; while older techniques are respected and preserved, new forms and ways of working with ceramics keep emerging. Today, Japan can boast with more than 100 pottery centres, each maintaining their own techniques, tradition and utilization of local materials.
17 June 2026
