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Leica to Host 35th Leitz Photographica Auction
29 October 2019
Leica announced it will host the 35th annual Leitz Photographica Auction of vintage cameras and photographica in Vienna on Nov. 23. A large segment of the auction items are products manufactured by Leica Camera.
Highlights of the auction (with estimates) include:
Leica MP-Nr. 2
€400,000 to €500,000:
Leica MD gray Hammertone (€100,000 to €150,000):
Leica MP chrome
€40,000 €50,000:
Elcan 2/66mm bayonet mount
€60,000 to €70,000:
Nikkor 5.6/13mm in the AI-S version
€30,000 €35,000:
The lots can be viewed at the Leica Store Vienna (Walfischgasse 1, 1010 Vienna) on Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Nov. 23 from 8 a.m. Bids for lots offered at the Camera Auction on Nov., 23 can be placed online in written form, on the phone, live from around the globe via liveauctioneers or invaluable or in person.
For more information see the news release below.
Leica Camera Hosts 35th Annual Leitz Photographica Auction
The 35th Leitz Photographica Auction, formerly WestLicht Photographica Auction, will be held at Hotel Bristol in Vienna on Nov. 23 at 11 a.m.. The Leitz Photographica Auction has established itself as one of the world's leading auction houses for classic and vintage cameras and photographica. In close collaboration with Leica Camera, the highly experienced and successful Viennese auction team works to offer potential buyers from around the globe the chance to bid for spectacular collector's pieces and rarities. The auction promises exciting bidding battles to get the last call on much sought after rarities. A large portion of auction goods are products manufactured by Leica Camera.
One of the most exceptional pieces is the Leica MP-Nr. 2 (estimated hammer price €400,000 to €500,000) the second Leica MP ever built and simultaneously the very first of its kind to be finished in black paint. The camera also features another highlight, a corresponding Leicavit MP, also in black paint. The Leica MP was first presented to the public at Photokina in Cologne in 1956 and was far more than just another version of the Leica M3. The MP cameras featured individual serial numbers, which were totally different from the usual factory numbers of all other Leica Cameras. With a total production of 412 samples, including 141 in black paint, the Leica MP is one of the rarest Leica models of all.
One of the other highlights of the more than 400 lots is almost certainly the Leica MD gray Hammertone, with an estimated hammer price of €100,000 to €150,000. The Leitz Wetzlar production documentation lists a total of only 10 Leica MD cameras in gray hammertone lacquer which were supplied to Leitz Canada in October 1964. This Leica is one of the rarest variations of the MD and with certainty, one of the most exquisite cameras ever to leave the factory in Wetzlar.
Almost impossible to find with all the original parts, the Leica MP chrome (estimated hammer price: €40,000 €50,000). All the original features like the 1000 ASA film reminder dial on the back of the camera and easy film winding with the matching Leicavit MP in Chrome, have been preserved in almost pristine condition.
One of the rarest M-Bayonet lenses is the Elcan 2/66mm, which at an estimated hammer price of €60,000 to €70,000, will be another highlight of the coming auction. Constructed by Walter Mandler, the lens was initially manufactured for the U.S. Navy by Ernst Leitz Canada and is up for auction in excellent condition. This lens delivers exceptionally high resolution and its nine glass elements in a robust metal barrel reflect the classic Leica design principles of its age.
Another premium lot at the auction is from Nikon. This very rare Nikon lens in almost mint condition is an example of the Nikkor 5.6/13mm in the AI-S version (estimated hammer price: €30,000 €35,000). With beautiful glass, both caps, a lens keeper, a CA-2 filter holder with the full set of filters, warranty card, user manual and the original box, this is an absolute rarity that hardly ever appears on the market in such excellent condition.
The exclusive lots can be viewed only a short distance from the auction rooms in the Leica Store Vienna (Walfischgasse 1, 1010 Vienna) on Thursday, Nov. 21 and Friday, Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 8 a.m. Bids for lots offered at the Camera Auction on Nov., 23 can be placed online at http://www.leitz-auction.com, in written form, on the phone, live from around the globe with http://www.liveauctioneers.com or http://www.invaluable.com or in person in the auction rooms (Hotel Bristol, Salon Schonbrunn, Karntner Ring 1, 1010 Vienna).