Leica news, before it happens

The 20th WestLicht Photographica camera auction will take place on Saturday, November 12th, 2011 between 11am and 6pm. The auctioned cameras can be previewed from November 1oth, 2011. Here are the Leica highlights:

Leica I Mod.A Elmar ‘Calfskin’ from 1930

“Very rare and absolutely original Leica Model A, with calfskin body-cover (LEANEKALB) with brown chequered pattern. According to Hahne, only 180 examples of the calfskin Leicas were produced in 1930/31. Many of these have been later replaced during restoration by Leitz with regular vulcanite, when the genuine leather was worn off. So, the number of original calfskin Leicas still in existence today is even lower. Of the brown chequered version only three examples are known to exist, none of the others in such good condition. The calfskin Leica is mentioned in the chapter ‘Luxus Leica’ of the 1930 Leitz catalogue, next to the gold-plated version. It is described as a black paint camera, covered with “coloured calfskin”. In the chapter about the cases, the individual colours available are mentioned, such as “green, red, violet, dark- and light-brown, as well as brown chequered”. The offered camera no.50058 is listed in Hahne as a calfskin Leica. In the Leitz shipping records it is listed as “Leanekalb kariert (chequered)”, delivered to Boesens, Stockholm, on December 23rd,1930. In fantastic, almost like new condition. With original black painted domed Leitz cap.”

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