Leitz Photographica Auction

The 35th Leitz Photographica Auction was held on November 23, 2019 at the Hotel Bristol in Vienna. More than 75% of the auction lots were sold, generating a turnover of more than 2.5 million euros.

Yet again, it was a black-paint Leica M that cracked the million euro barrier: when lot number 103 was called, all eyes were fixed on the Leica MP Black Paint (serial no. 2) with Leicavit MP. The camera – which was originally delivered to New York based photojournalist Bob Schwalberg in 1956 – was announced at an opening bid of € 200,000, and estimated to sell for € 400,000 to € 500,000. In the end, the second Leica MP to have ever been produced went under the hammer for € 1,020,000.

Other auction highlights include a Leica MD Grey Hammertone from 1964 – one of the rarest and most beautiful Leicas ever made – which reached an auction price of € 156,000. A Leica MP Chrome with the serial number 303 also significantly exceeded its forty to fifty-thousand euro estimate, and went to a new owner for € 90,000.

To find out more visit Leitz Photographica Auction