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Web TV: Leica 0-Series no. 112 sold at auction for 7.2 million euros

Camera & Image was on site in Wetzlar, Germany when a prototype of the first mass-produced Leica I camera was auctioned off. Here you can see the entire auction.

Kamera & Bild was present when Leica celebrated its 100th anniversary and among other things released the anniversary model Leica M11-D 100 Years of Leica which summarizes the camera company's hundred-year camera manufacturing. The model has taken its form from the Leica I from 1925, which was the company's first mass-produced camera.

Leitz Photographica Auction 46 som en del av Leica Century Event i Wetzlar.

Before production began in 1925, Leica Camera AG in its earlier form, Ernst Leitz Werke, had built a number of prototypes with the so-called 0-series with serial numbers 101-125.

In connection with the event, Leitz Photographica Auction 46 was also held as part of the Leica Century Event in Wetzlar, where a Leica 0-Series no. 112 was auctioned off - a camera with great historical value manufactured in 1923 - which is now one of the few remaining prototypes of the Leica I.

Kameran såldes till en köpare som budade via telefon.

The camera was sold for 6 million euros - 7.2 million euros including taxes and fees - which means a price tag of 85 million kronor.

Today, the existence of about ten Leica 0-series cameras is still known. As milestones in the history of photography and groundbreaking in photojournalism, they have become sought-after collectibles. This includes Leica 0-Series no. 112, which was auctioned off on June 27 during Leica World in Wetzlar.

- It is a truly special occasion for our auction house to offer a 0-series in the midst of the 100th anniversary of the Leica I. Especially since this particular 0-series was received by Oskar Barnack after production. These prototypes laid the foundation for the development of the groundbreaking Leica I, which took photojournalism to new heights and transformed photography from an exclusive hobby to a general phenomenon, says Alexander Sedlak, CEO of Leitz Photographica Auction.

Leica 0-Series no. 112 was valued at 1.5 to 2 million euros, but ultimately achieved a price of 7.2 million euros including fees, making 112 the second most expensive camera ever sold. The world record is 14.4 million euros including fees, which was achieved when Leica 0-Series no. 105 was sold at the 40th Leitz Photographica Auction in June 2022.