Leica MP black paint, no. MP-99, 1957, in almost mint and original, never restored condition, with matching Leicavit MP and black paint Summicron 2/5cm no.1468952. Estimate: 250,000 – 300,000 euros. Westlicht image.
LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding for the 200-lot sale.
“Lilliput camera with cine film finished.” With this entry by Oskar Barnack in the workshop logbook of the famous Leitz factory’s optical plant in Wetzlar, dated March 1914, the history of Leica began 100 years ago.
In 2014 the company Leica Camera AG celebrates this anniversary by inaugurating the new Leitz Park in Wetzlar, the location where everything began.
WestLicht will present 100 rare treasures from every epoch of technical development of the Leitz history, impressively demonstrating the entire innovative potential of Leica. Beginning with a telescope built by Carl Kellner, the precursor company of Leitz, in 1852, to rarities like the Leica I A with Anastigmat lens, the Luxus Leica, the Leica 250 with electric motor drive, the black Leica MP, to cameras owned by famous Magnum photographers.
Additionally, 100 photography lots throw an impressive light on the oeuvre of famous Leica photographers. Many of these images have long become part of our collective memory and visual landmarks of history. Rare vintage prints by Oskar Barnack, Lothar Rübelt, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Marc Riboud, René Burri, David Douglas Duncan, Thomas Hoepker, Inge Morath, Chris Steele Perkins, F.C. Gundlach, Elliott Erwitt, Ulrich Mack, Josef Koudelka and many others have been assembled for the catalog by curator Michael Koetzle.
The exclusive catalog (432 pages, hardcover, with texts by renowned authors and experts) has also been published in a special edition of 100 numbered and signed copies and can be ordered from WestLicht.
For questions about any item in the sale, email: 100years-auction@westlicht.com.
View the fully illustrated online catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.
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ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Leica MP black paint, no. MP-99, 1957, in almost mint and original, never restored condition, with matching Leicavit MP and black paint Summicron 2/5cm no.1468952. Estimate: 250,000 – 300,000 euros. Westlicht image. Carl Kellner, Wetzlar telescope, circa 1852, with original stand. The earliest known example of a product of the workshop which turned into the Leitz Co. in 1869. Estimate: 50,000 – 60,000 euros. Westlicht image. Leica I Model A Anastigmat, no. 239, 1925. The earliest version of the first serial production Leica, in rare original condition, complete with the first case, rangefinder and accessories. Estimate: 70,000 – 80,000 euros. Westlicht image. Leica II Model D Luxus, no. 98248, 1933, rare gold-plated Luxus Leica with reptile leather covering. Estimate: 250,000 – 300,000 euros. Westlicht image. F.C. Gundlach (* 1926), ‘Nino – Harbour Hamburg,’ 1958, vintage silver print, 39.7 x 29.7 cm, signed and annotated by the photographer in pencil on the reverse. Estimate: 5,000 – 6,000 euros. Westlicht image. Thomas Hoepker (* 1936), ‘Muhammad Ali,’ Chicago, 1966, vintage silver print, comes with two signed and stamped iris prints, 27.5 x 20.8 cm, signed by the photographer in pencil on the reverse. Estimate: 15,000 – 18,000 euros. Westlicht image. Ara Güler (* 1928), ‘Henri Cartier-Bresson with Leica M3,’ 1964, gelatin silver print, printed 2013, 55 x 44 cm. Unique print, signed by the photographer in pencil in the margin. Estimate: 10,000 – 12,000 euros. Westlicht image. Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908–2004) ‘Behind the Gare Saint-Lazare,’ Paris, 1932, gelatin silver print, printed 1990s, 35.7 x 24.1 cm, signed by the photographer in ink in the margin, his copyright blindstamp in the margin lower left. Estimate: 8,000 – 10,000 euros. Westlicht image.
