Other models of this German brand also achieved higher prices than expected. The Leica M3 prototype is estimated at $90,000, and was sold for $560,000 and Leica 250 Reporter prototype is estimated at $39,000, sold for $310,000.
The device used by the German-born American photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt in New York’s Times Square to celebrate the surrender of Japan 14 August in 1945. was sold for $148,000.
1923 Leica 0-series Camera
The most expensive Leica Cmera to ever swap hands was sold on the weekend for €1.3 million (approximately $1.9 million) after 20 minutes of insane auction bidding. The 7th camera of the rare 1923 limited edition Leica 0-series, limited to only 25 versions went under the hammer at the Westilicht Photographica Auctions. Estimated between €350,000 and €450,000, the hammer came down at a staggering €1.3 million.
The previous world record was set last year when a collector paid €732,000 ($1 million) for a Daguerreotype, the world’s first commercially produced camera, which bore the rare signature of its French inventor.
1923 Leica 0-Series Camera
Westlicht, well-known photographic auction, will be staged May 28 in Vienna, Austria and have unveiled a few samples of what to expect in its Leica section. By now, you should be familiar with Leica and its reputation for producing much-sought-after cameras at premium prices. But you should also note that they’re in the business for quite a while now and one of their rarest pieces just turned up for auction.
Taking the chunk of the limelight will be the 1923 Leica 0-Serie Nr.107. This is the 7th camera of the Leica 0-series. Only approximately 25 of these cameras were produced to test the market in 1923, 2 years before the commercial introduction of the Leica A. It is the only camera known with “Germany” engraving on the top plate. The factory record indicates delivery to New York for patent applies. This means that this camera is not only one of the major existing rarities, it is also the first Leica being exported. The 1923 Leica 0-Serie Camera is estimated to fetch between €350,000 and €450,000 ($500,000 – $650,000).
1958 Leica MP2 – The Most Expensive Vintage Camera
A Leica MP2, built in 1958, has been sold for €402,000 ($536,000) at the latest Westlicht Photographica auction. The auction took place on December, 4th at the Westlicht gallery in Vienna, home to an 800 strong collection of vintage cameras. With a starting bid of €80,000 ($106,500) these one of just six extremely rare collectibles earned a staggering €402,000 ($536,000), thanks to an Asian collector who also now owns the most expensive Lecia camera auctioned ever.
Nikon also proved to be a big seller with two record breaking sales. The Nikon S2-E, a viewfinder camera built in 1957 and a F3 NASA from 1968 found a new owner for the sum of €168,000 ($224,000). Both exceeded the starting price by more than tenfold and became the most expensive Nikon cameras to be sold at auction, claims Westlicht.