Bonhams will hold an action for rare Leica cameras in Hong Kong on November 23. The top lot is a Leica Luxus I camera (1930) No. 48048 with 50mm f/3.5 Elmar lens and faux lizard skin body covering. The camera is expected to reach HK$1,200,000-1,800,000 (£100,000-150,000). The Luxus cameras were produced on special order only in very small numbers between 1929 and 1930, using serial numbers falling between 28692 and 68834. Just 95 units were originally produced and many less are known to exist today.
Provenance: this camera was from the collection of E. J. Newton (Jack), one of the founder members of the Leica Historical Society and its first president. It remained within his private museum in Sutton Coldfield, England, and later, along with most of his collection, went on display at the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain, Milsom St., Bath. Thence to current vendor.
