Rare Leica Luxus II camera, one of just four ever made, could become the most valuable in the world, if sold for £1 million ($1,62 million) when it goes up for auction next month. The gold-plated, covered in crocodile skin and well-used camera is valued at between £500,000 – £800,000 ($809,000 – $130,000) but experts believe because the huge demand for Leica cameras it is likely to reach more than £1million.
The Luxus II was gifted to its late owner, a British enthusiast after World War II. He used it for several decades and then mouldered away somewhere until the owner took it to Antiques Roadshow for a look-see in 2001, who said it has the potential to be the “most valuable find ever.
“I found it on the roadshow 12 years ago and it’s been languishing, ready to resurface and it’s taken a long time. It was a strange experience at the time. It was put in front of me and I looked at it in complete disbelief. I never expected to see a camera like that,” said Marc Allum, antiques expert and a presenter on Antiques Roadshow, who discovered the camera on the programme 12 years ago.
The camera is currently on display at the London showroom of auction house Bonhams, but it will soon be shipped to Hong Kong for the November 22 “Leica and Classic Camera Sale auction.
