The next Wetzlar Camera Auctions #7 will take place on October 11 in Wetzlar (flip catalog | online catalog | printed catalog).
The above pictured Leica MP black paint (1956) is estimated to reach €350,000-€450,000.
Here are some of the other Leica highlights:
Leica IA with Anastigmat (1925)
The very first Leica model, as presented at the Leipzig Spring Fair in 1925. Only approximately 150 examples of this design were produced, of which only a few survive today. One of the most historically significant Leica collector’s items, it remains in virtually pristine original condition.
Estimated price 80,000 – 100,000 euros
Leica 250 FF 1st series (1934)
An exceptional camera from the initial production run of 20 units. It features a flat-topped transport knob, as seen on the Leica 250 Reporter prototypes. This unit was delivered internally.
Estimated price 25,000 – 30,000 euros
Leitz Summaron 1:5.6/2.8 cm prototype (ca. 1954)
This experimental model of the 2.8 cm wide-angle Summaron with an A42 front mount (for use with E39 filters) and a matching lens hood was never mass-produced in this version. An extreme rarity. We know of only one other such version.
Estimated price 28,000 – 30,000 euros
Leica M3 black lacquered Leica Technik (1956)
A very early, original black-lacquered Leica M3 with a top cap with four mounting screws, single-point rewind, and shutter speeds of 1/25, 1/50, and 1/100 second. Delivered internally to the Leica Technik department at Leitz (later the Leica School, now the Leica Academy) in 1956. This early version is an absolute rarity!
Estimated price 150,000 – 200,000 euros
Leica MP painted black (1956)
The original Leica MP was produced exclusively for professional photographers at the time and is one of the great classics among Leica M camera collectors. Only approximately 140 units were produced in the black lacquered version. The camera offered here, with a black lacquered Summilux 50 mm f/1.4 lens and a black lacquered Leicavit MP, is in completely original condition.
Estimated price 350,000 – 400,000 euros
Leica M4 black chrome-plated “Bund” (1974)
Even after the last olive-green Leica M4 cameras were delivered to the German Bundeswehr, a few individual Leica M4s were produced in black with the engraving “Bund.” Interestingly, this occurred during the transition period from the black painted to the black chrome-plated version. Both versions of this extremely rare black Bundeswehr M4 are known. Never before offered at auction! With two matching lenses with military engravings.
Estimated price 35,000 – 40,000 euros
Leica M4-2 olive (1979)
As with the gold-plated versions of the Leica R3 and M4-2, Leitz also planned the olive-green lacquered Safari versions of both the R3 and the M4-2. In fact, only the R3 Safari made it into series production, while only a few samples of the Leica M4-2 Safari were produced. Complete with a matching Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 lens.
Estimated price 25,000 – 30,000 euros
Leitz Summilux 1:1.4/35 mm with black steel ring (1960)
This extremely rare black Summilux 35, the very first model with a black steel front ring, is in near-mint condition. This version without a viewfinder attachment is for use with the Leica M2. We know of fewer than 15 such lenses in collections worldwide.
Estimated price 50,000 – 60,000 euros
