A quick update on the upcoming Wetzlar Camera Auctions (Facebook | Instagram) that will take place on October 5th, 2019 – the auction cataloge (print and online) will be available at the end of August. Here are some of the Leica auction highlights:
Drawing Set “Kamera 4201” (1922) – estimate 60,000 – 80,000 euro
91 sheets of original (ink on parchment) item drawings “Kamera 4201”, from the hand of Barnack´s team member Wilhelm Schäfer. Each signed “Schäfer”, as well as each sheet countersigned by Oskar Barnack. The recent discovery of this drawing set may without exaggeration be described as a sensation. This is proof of the existence of another, still unknown Leica predecessor, one year before the Leica 0-series, still with many technical deviations. Historically significant!
Leica Model A Luxus camera (1929) – estimate: 300,000 – 400,000 euro
With this specimen of an original gold plated Leica Model A, one of the great classics among the rare Leica collectibles will be auctioned. According to today’s state of knowledge, only 95 specimens were delivered in the years 1929-1931.
Leica 250 GG camera with mechanical Rapid Winder (1938-40) – estimate: 80,000 – 100,000 euro
This Leica 250 (GG) comes complete with the extremely rare mechanical “Schnellaufzug für 10 m. Kamera (rapid winder for 10 m. camera)“. Wits its plunger operated film advance it was constructed in the years 1938 to 1940 and produced only in a few sample units. Never offered at auction before!
Summicron 5 cm f/2 Nr. 1 lens (1952) – estimate: 8,000 – 10,000 euro
The very first Summicron, delivered on 31st of October 1952 to Alfred Boch, head of the former Leitz agency in New York. The lens is pictured in the first Leitz New York Summicron brochure “The new Leica Summicron 50mm f/2 lens” of May 1953. Historically significant!
Leitz Telyt-R 1000 mm f/5.9 prototype lens (1969) – estimate: 28.000 – 35.000 euro
A total of three specimens of such prototypes in the dimension 1: 5.9 / 1000 mm were manufactured in May 1969, a series production was not thereafter. It was a parallel development to the Leitz Telyt 800 mm f/6.3, which was launched in 1972. Never offered at auctions before!
Leitz Moment Kamera “Fritz Lehr Wetzlar” (1904/1905) – estimate: 15,000 – 20.000 euro
This very rare 9×12 cm Leitz Moment Kamera with Summar 120 mm f/4.5 was originally delivered to the photographer Fritz Lehr of Wetzlar. Presumably the only Leitz Moment Camera, which was originally delivered to Wetzlar itself. Historically significant!
Leitz Showcase Stand “Leica M3” (1956) – estimate: 8.000 – 12.000 euro
Extremely rare Leitz advertising display in the typical 1950s “kidney-shaped table” design. At the time (1956) announced in “Leitz Informationen für den Fotofachhandel (Leitz informations for the photo-retailers)”, presumably today only few pieces are still in existence.
