On June 13, 2020 at 11am is held the 36th auction of Leitz Photographica. Among the 425 lots put up for sale, a Leica 0 prototype, starting price 400 000 €

The Leitz Photographica auctions are a worldwide reference for collectors, in particular for the Leica brand. As a reminder, in 2018, a Leica 0 was sold for € 2,400,000 during the 32nd sale. This 36th edition will undoubtedly not beat the record of March 2018 but offers historic lots.

Seven lots caught our attention.

Lot 3. Leica 0 prototype

This is the flagship lot of this sale, in particular because of its price and the estimate. € 400,000 starting bid and between € 800,000 and € 1,000,000 estimate.

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It is a prototype of a Leica series 0, ie the junction between the Ur-Leica and the Leica 0. There are only three known prototypes. This one dates from 1921.

Catalog sheet lot 3. Leica 0-Series prototype

Lot 90. Leica M2 black paint ‘Walker Evans’

Walker Evans, American photographer, is a figure in documentary photography of the 20th century, notably with his contribution to the Farm Security Administration program in the second half of the 1930s. Lot 90 is nothing more or less than a Leica M2 having belonged to Walker Evans.

Walker Evans bought this camera in 1962 and used it until 1973, when he stopped taking 35mm photos to devote himself to the use of an SX-70 polaroid.

Catalog sheet lot 90. Leica M2 black paint ‘Walker Evans’

Lot 26. Leica III et IIIc ‘Lothar Rübelt’

Lothar Rübelt is less known than Walker Evans. He is an Austrian sports photographer of the 20th century. Lot 26 is a set of devices (Leica III and IIIc), the motors and a viewfinder having belonged to it. The lot also contains letters to and from Theo Kisselbach mentioning the devices.

Catalog sheet lot 26. Leica III and IIIc outfit ‘Lothar Rübelt’

Lot 47. Leica IIIg black paint ‘Swedish Military’

An extremely rare military Leica IIIg in original, unrestored condition.
Black paint variants of Leica cameras from the 1950s are usually versions for press photographers.

In one case, however, a military client also decided on the less conspicuous black finish: for the Swedish military Leitz produced 100 Leica IIIf cameras as well as 125 IIIg cameras in the black paint finish.

The IIIg cameras were additionally engraved with the three “Crowns of Sweden” on the rear side of the top plate.

Catalog sheet lot 47. Leica IIIg black paint ‘Swedish Military’

Lot 142. Prototype Summicron 50mm f2

Another prototype, in excellent condition, it is a Summicron 50mm f/2 lens.

Catalog sheet lot 142. Summicron 2/5cm prototype

Lot 282. Contax IIa outfit

To switch to other brands than Leica, here is a set around a Contax IIa with a set of lenses, the leather case, the original manual and various accessories.

Catalog sheet lot 282. Contax IIa outfit

Lot 419. Kodak Film advertising

And finally a Kodak 32x32x49cm steel advertising box.

Catalog sheet lot 419. Kodak Film advertising

Catalog of the sale

To find the catalog of the sale click here. The auction is already open and ends on June 13, 2020.