As promised, here is the story of the 350kg stainless steel Leica camera from the Foto Henny Hoogeveen Leica store in Lisse, the Netherlands:
The sculpture was created by the Chinese artist Liao Yibai. There are only three copies of this “Fake Leica”: one is located in the store in Lisse, Leica Camera AG got the second one and a distributor got the third copy.
According to the WSJ, Leica Camera sold 44% of the company to Blackstone for €130 million ($179 million):
“Though the price wasn’t disclosed, the deal is valued at roughly €130 million ($179 million), according to a person close to the matter.”
In 2004 Dr. Kaufmann, bought 95% of the company for approximately €60 million ($82 million):
“Mr. Kaufmann, a German aristocrat who lives in Austria, bought into the company in 2004 and increased his stake shortly thereafter to more than 95%, with an investment exceeding €60 million, according to people close to him.”
Leica booth at PDN PhotoPlus Expo
Leica Camera will take part in the PDN Photo Plus Expo in New Your next week. There will be several Leica S2 events:
Leica Camera invites you to join us at our Photo Plus Expo Studio Event featuring the Leica S-System. Enjoy industry presentations as well as gain hands on experience with Leica’s medium-format solution; the S2 and S-Series lenses. Complimentary photographic prints will be provided courtesy of ILFORD Galerie Pearl.
Well, not really a brand new store – after 42 years in the business, the Leica Shop previously located in Noordwijk moved to a new location in Lisse. Here are some pictures of the new facility. I will have a separate post on the huge 350kg stainless steel Leica in the front:
Not really a big surprise since Leica has been looking for a sell since they turned around their finances. Why sell only 44%? My guess is that way Dr. Kaufmann can still own the majority (51%) of the company (he owned 95% of Leica’s stock: 95%-44% =51%).
Here is the full press release:
Leica Camera gains strategic investor in Blackstone
ACM Projektentwicklung GmbH will remain the majority shareholder
London, Solms: The Blackstone Group (NYSE: BX) and ACM Projektentwicklung GmbH today announced they have agreed a strategic partnership whereby investment funds advised by Blackstone will acquire, indirectly through a holding company, a 44% minority stake in Leica Camera AG (“Leica”), to support Leica’s international growth plans. ACM and Blackstone have agreed that the value of the transaction will not be disclosed. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in Q4/2011.
New Leica D-Lux 5 limited edition (1500 units produced), US pricing should be around $1,200.00:
Versatile digital compact camera in titanium styling with luxury leather case
18 October 2011: Leica Camera AG has today announced a special edition of its successful D-Lux 5 digital camera: the Leica D-Lux 5 Titanium. This elegantly-designed compact camera, with its sophisticated, anodised silver-grey finish, comes presented in a special set with a premium grey leather case with shoulder strap, and is sure to be on every discerning photographer’s list of ‘objects of desire’ this Christmas.
Tamarkin’s rare camera auction will take place on Sunday, October 30 and will feature some rare Leica cameras:
About the “the Leica gun”:
Leica Telephoto Assembly RIFLE, known as “the Leica Gun” or, in Germany, as the“Leica Gewehr.” A product of the E. Leitz agency in New York in the 1930s, the Leica Rifle is the rarest of all accessories. Very few were made and even fewer have survived the last seventy years. Originally made for the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, the Leica Gun was a favorite among the highest rung of wildlife and sports photographers in the inter-war years. This example is in wonderful condition. The viewfinder is Nr. 123 and is marked “E. Leitz Inc. New York.” The complete outfit includes the special base plate, original case, a 200mm Telyt f4,5 that is hazy, a Leica IIIa and well as an eyepiece magnifier for the PLOOT. Condition: Ex++ Estimate: $65,000 – $100,000.
