A vintage Leica camera from the early 1900s has shattered records by becoming the most expensive camera ever sold at auction, reported by roboreport. The rare Leica 0-Series No. 105, a century-old prototype, was sold for an astounding $15.1 million (€14.4 million) at the 20th anniversary Leitz Photographica Auction. This sale far exceeded its original high estimate of $3.2 million and surpassed the previous record set by another Leica 0-Series model in 2018, which sold for $2.9 million.
The Historic Leica 0-Series No. 105: A Prototype That Changed Photography
Leitz Photographica Auction
This Leica 0-Series No. 105 is one of only a handful of prototypes ever created. Released in 1923 by Ernst Leitz Wetzlar, the company that would later become Leica, this camera was part of a small batch of 23 units designed to test the market for the 35mm format. Although initially met with a mixed reception, the 35mm camera revolutionized the photography industry and became the standard for professional photographers. It paved the way for the production of the Leica A just two years later.
Oskar Barnack: The Inventor’s Personal Camera
What makes this particular camera even more significant is its historical context. It was owned by Oskar Barnack, the German inventor of the 35mm Leica. Barnack used this camera until 1930, when he passed it on to his son, Conrad. The camera remained in the Barnack family until 1960 before being sold to a U.S. collector. This Leica camera not only boasts the engraved initials of Barnack but also comes with its original leather lens cap, a later aluminum cap inscribed with “O.B.”, and a modified Nettle Camera that Barnack used for photographic research.
Rarity and Historical Significance: The Leica 0-Series No. 105’s Auction Price Reflects Its Legacy
According to auction experts, only about a dozen Leica 0-Series cameras are still known to exist today, making this sale a rare event in the world of vintage photography. Before the auction, the Leitz Photographica Auction house declared the Leica 0-Series No. 105 as one of the most important cameras in photographic history, a claim solidified by its record-breaking price tag.
A Milestone in Photography: Leica 0-Series No. 105 Sets Auction Record
This sale cements the Leica 0-Series No. 105 as not only the most expensive camera ever sold at auction but also a symbol of the monumental impact the 35mm format had on the development of modern photography.
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