On November 17, the 12th WestLicht Photographica Auction ended with a sensation †the most spectacular lot of the auction, an 0-series Leica no. 107, which was sold for the highest sum ever achieved at an auction for a 35 millimeter camera or Leica. By accepting the bid of a private European collector, auctioneer Peter Coeln turned a slender black camera into the most expensive 35 millimeter camera and the second most expensive camera ever auctioned. It sold for $492,500.
Only 21 of these cameras were produced to test the market in 1923, two years before the commercial introduction of the Leica A. The auctioned camera is the seventh camera of the Leica 0-series. Factory records indicate its delivery to New York for patenting. This means that this camera is not only one of the major rarities existing, it is also the first Leica to be exported.
The existing world record for a camera was also established by a WestLicht Photographica Auction †a Daguerreotype by the Paris manufacturer Susse Frères from 1839, was sold for $850,000 this past May.
In other highlights among the Leica lots, an M3 gold no. 834000 realized $75,600 and an M3 in black paint fetched $33,400. The auction also saw two Leica lenses achieving remarkably high results †a Summicron 2/5 centimeter Prototype and a Noctilux 1.2/50 millimeter sold for $28,100 each. Generally speaking, the prices for Leicas and accessories were very solid. Nearly 100 percent of the Leitz articles were sold and very often the estimates were considerably exceeded.
Some Nikon cameras also posted notable prices. A Stereo-Nikkor outfit brought $57,100 and a Nikon F High Speed made $28,100.
Extremely high prices were also registered for a large selection of stereo lots that were offered. A Hirst and Wood “The Natural Stereoscope” went out at $29,000, and an extremely rare Stereo Sigriste camera was sold for $25,500. Two previously unknown stereo viewers were also able to achieve record prices. The “Autosynoptomètre” viewer by Giroux was auctioned for $13,200, while the “Isostereoscopio” by Carlo Ponti brought $11,400.
All prices quoted have been converted from euros to US dollars and include auction charges. The next WestLicht Photographica Auction will take place in May. For information, www.westlicht.com or 43 1 523 5659.
