Leitz Photographica has set a new world record with the auction of an extremely rare Leica piece sold for 14.4 million Euros.
The mass production of the Leitz camera, or Leica for short, the world’s first 35mm camera, was a turning point in the history of modern photography at the start of the 20th century.
Before the first cameras became available in the mid-1920s, Ernst Leitz produced around 23 models of the 0-series prototype in 1923 and 1924. No. 105 of the 0-series was sold, at the 40th sale at the Leitz Photographica auction, at a price of 14.4 million euros, commission included. The N°105 thus broke the world record for the most expensive camera of all time.
Number 105 belonged to Oskar Barnack, the inventor of the camera ((Liliput)) shortly before the First World War. It was the prototype of the Leica and therefore also the 35 mm camera itself. Barnack captured many subjects of his home life with the 0 Series No. 105. He used the experience gained during this process for the further development of the camera and subsequent models. Barnack’s name is engraved on the upper part of the viewfinder of the camera.
LEICA Series 0 N°105 from 1923
June 11, 2022
by LEITZ PHOTOGRAPHICA
www.leicashop.com
http://www.leitz-auction.com/auction/de/home
