WestLicht Photographica Auction
WestLicht Photographica Auction
June 9, 2016
Leica M3 No. 700004
Among the highlights of this year's photo auction is a batch of 56 large-format prints from the series The 'Last Sitting' by Bert Stern, comprising images of Marilyn Monroe taken shortly before her death in 1962 (Lot 166, estimate: 100,000–120,000 euros); furthermore, René Burri's iconic portrait of Argentine revolutionary Che Guevara with cigar (Lot 107, estimate: 6000–7000 Euro) as well as numerous prints by Magnum legends Henri Cartier-Bresson, Elliott Erwitt and Martin Parr.
29th Camera Auction
The 29th camera auction once again centres around rare Leica cameras, such as a Leica M3 (serial number 700004) from 1954. The camera, which was discovered only recently and is still in its original condition, was the 4th serially produced M model. Its value is estimated at 50,000–60,000 euros (Lot 81). Another rarity is a Leica 72, designed for 72 half-frame format exposures. Only around 30 units ever left the production plant in Wetzlar – the last shipped model will now be offered at the auction with an estimated value of 30,000–35,000 euros (Lot 43).
Items by other manufacturers include the only known prototype of the Japanese pistol camera Doryu 1 (Lot 400, estimate: 90,000–100,000 euros).
For a full catalogue of both auctions go to WestLicht
Leica M3 No. 700004
Leica 72 18x24mm Wetzlar
Doryu 1 Prototype Flashcamera
Bert Stern (1929–2013), ‘The Last Sitting’
Elliott Erwitt (*1928), Paris, 1989
© Elliott Erwitt / Magnum Photos