SOME HIGHLIGHTS

OF THE UPCOMING OSTLICHT CAMERA AUCTION, 5 JUNE 2024

SEAGULL COMPANY, CHINA, RED FLAG 20 OUTFIT 

Starting price: € 24.000 / Estimate: € 45.000 – 50.000
no. 71131, 1971, condition B+

 

Chinese Leica M4 copy (less than 200 were produced by direct order of the government, none were sold to the public) in near mint condition, with all three matching lenses: 1.4/50mm (Summilux copy) no.770085 (original metal hood and UV filter), 1.4/35mm (Summilux copy) no.77165 (original cap), 2/90mm (Summicron copy) no.760006 (original front cap), extremely rare original black Red Flag outfit case with Chinese characters.

 

KONICA DOMIREX PROTOTYPE 

 

 

 

Starting price: € 9.000 / Estimate: € 17.000 – 19.000
no. 196303, 1963, condition A/B 


The legendary Konica Domirex, a prototype which was presented on Photokina in 1963 by Konica. The Domirex is a 35 mm SLR apparently never produced for sale. It has an unusual viewfinder system, without a moving mirror. The offered camera one of two prototypes known. It is the first with selenium cell, the other prototype has a CDs meter. This museum item is in near mint condition with working shutter and the fixed Hexanon 2.4/57mm lens. A unique chance to buy the most rare Japanese SLR.

LEICA I MOD. A ANASTIGMAT 

Starting price: € 36.000 / Estimate: € 70.000 – 75.000
239, 1925, condition B 


Authentic Leica Model A with Anastigmat lens in extremely rare 100% original, never changed condition. Complete with first version ETRIN case with ribbed leather, matching early FODIS rangefinder no. 2381.

 

 

LEICA 250 PROTOTYPE No.1

 

 

Starting price: € 80.000 / Estimate: € 150.000 – 170.000
no. 114051, 1933, condition B


The first of only two Leica 250 prototypes (nos.114051 + 114052, illustrated in Lager Vol. I p.123). Originally based on a Leica II chassis the camera was converted (according to the Leitz repair book on October 12th, 1936) into a Leica 250 with slow speeds. The two cameras were the only Leica 250 prototypes produced in 1933 (see 'Hahne list' page 157). Pictures of this camera were used for many years in various Leica publications (C. Emmermann 'Leica Technik'). The first official Leica 250 was no.260001. Since the conversion in 1936, the camera is still in the same never restored and fully working condition. It comes with both cassettes. This is a unique opportunity to acquire one of the most important cameras in Leica's history.

LEICA 250 GG + LEICA-MOTOR MOOEV No.10006

Starting price: € 180.000 / Estimate: € 340.000 – 380.000
no. 352404, 1941, condition B/A 


The Leica 250 Reporter with Leica-Motor is for sure the most spectacular and legendary collector’s piece. The motor coupled camera body no.352404 is in beautiful, near mint condition with Elmar 3.5/5cm no. 498098. The Leica-Motor MOOEV no. 10006 is not only the earliest example known to exist, but also in the best mint condition. It also has the screw-in support to keep the camera in balance. The Motor was delivered on October 27th, 1941, to Bln., Berlin. The motor drive is engraved inside no. 352379. Only very few Leica 250 cameras were equipped with the electric motor drive MOOEV and used for aerial reconnaissance by German warplanes, where they were permanently installed. Only the bodies were exchanged, so often cameras with different serial numbers were used with the same Leica-Motor. No more than about 10-12 Leica-Motor drives survived, most of the 95 motor drives were lost in air battles.

 

 

LEICA IIIf + COMPUR SUMMITAR * 2/5cm PROTOTYPE 

Starting price: € 24.000 / Estimate: € 45.000 – 50.000
no. 537878, 1950, condition B/A 


Ultra-rare prototype lens no. 812297 in very good original condition, complete with original prototype release arm and matching black dial Leica IIIf body no. 537878. LITERATURE Paul-Henry van Hasbroeck (ed.) 'Leica, a history illustrating every model and accessory', p. 195, 202. Both Summitar * as well as Compur Summicron lenses are among the great rarities of Leica lenses from the 1950s. Most unusual is the combination of both: only six specimens of the Summitar * were completed as central-shutter lenses and so are not only forerunners of the Summicron, but also prototypes of the later Compur-Summicron. In more than 30 years we saw only two Summitar * with Compur-shutter.

LEICA M3 Nr. 700003 'WILLI STEIN'

Starting price: € 80.000 / Estimate: € 150.000 – 170.000
no. 700003, 1953, condition A/B 


The sensational discovery of the 3rd Leica M3 camera produced! M3 no.700003 was given to Willi Stein, the chief designer of Leitz and inventor of the M3 on October 9th, 1953. On February 8th, 1954, the camera came back for repair. At this point, the camera received the chassis with no.1950. The camera is since untouched and original with all the very early features, the shutter crate engraved '700003'. It is in near mint and perfect working condition. It was never sold in auction.

 

 

LEICA M3 BLACK PAINT + Summicron 2/5cm

Starting price: € 90.000 / Estimate: € 170.000 – 190.000
no. 746572, 1955, condition B/C 


The black paint Leica M3 is one of the most sought-after collectors cameras. Not much is known about the very first batch of black paint cameras nos.746571 - 746576. The offered camera is the 2nd camera of this small batch of six cameras. The early features such as the rewind knob, four holding screws for the top plate and the black counter, make this camera one of the rarest Leica M cameras. It was bought new by an American press photographer in 1955. Even more special, the camera 746572 is the factory conversion into Leicavit-MP coupling. Technically a difficult issue, it was mostly carried out in the way of implanting an MP/M2 style frame counter. On camera 746572 the automatically resetting frame counter was kept. Unusual and probably unique black paint M3/MP camera. It comes with a black Leicavit- MP, the original early baseplate, the matching early black paint Summicron 2/5cm no.1587297 in brass mount with a factory conversion: the infinity lock for the focus ring was taken off so the owner, who was a professional photographer, could use it without the blocking of the lens. The camera was authenticated by Ottmar Michaely and Lars Netopil.

LEICA MP BLACK PAINT + SUMMICRON 2/5cm 'ERIC SCHAAL'

Starting price: € 160.000 / Estimate: € 300.000 – 340.000
no. MP-141, 1957, condition B 


This black paint MP with matching Leicavit MP was owned and used by the famous German photographer Eric Schaal. According to the factory delivery record, this camera was delivered to Köln, Germany on 25th October 1957. The chassis of the camera is engraved 'P 141'. The camera comes with a matching black paint Summicron 2/5cm no.1468980 with raw brass mount. Camera and lens are in very fine and 100% original, never updated or repainted and perfect working condition. The book 'ERIC SCHAAL PHOTOGRAPH' is also included with a confirmation of the provenance.

 

 

Leica M2 BLACK PAINT No.2 + SUMMICRON 2/5cm

Starting price: € 26.000 / Estimate: € 50.000 – 55.000
no. 948602, 1958, condition B/A 


The second (!) produced and the most early known M2 black paint from the very rare first batch with button rewind knob and without self-timer. It comes with a Summicron 2/5cm black paint lens no.1582169 in brass mount, everready case. Camera and lens are in beautiful, original condition, for sure one of the best outfits of the extremely rare black paint M2 with button rewind.

LEICA MP2 + WETZLAR LEICA MOTOR

Starting price: € 140.000 / Estimate: € 260.000 – 300.000
no. 952004, 1959, condition A/B


The MP2 (IMOOP) was the first experimental Leica M-camera for use with electric motor. It is one of the rarest and most valuable M-series Leica on the collector's market. Around 15 cameras are known to exist worldwide today, about half of which are complete with the original MP2 electric motor. It comes from the second batch of 15 cameras (nos.952001-952015). The offered camera is in near mint and 100% original condition, for the first time in auction, with the mint black (!) Wetzlar electric motor and matching Summilux 1.4/50mm no.1660871.- This is for sure one of the historically most important Leica cameras in amazing condition.

 

 

LEICA M4 OLIVE + ELMAR 2.8/50mm Y 'BUNDESWEHR'

Starting price: € 40.000 / Estimate: € 75.000 – 85.000
no. 1266112, 1970, condition A/B 


Rare original olive Leica M4 engraved 'Bundeswehr’. After Leica M3 and M1 cameras, the olive Leica M4 was the last Leica olive camera delivered to the German Military. It is one of the rarest Leica M versions with only 31 examples produced, serial numbers 1266101 to 1266131. The camera here is number twelve of the batch and in entirely original and near mint condition. It comes complete with the matching and mint Elmar 2.8/50mm no.2326845, engraved 'Y'. The 'Y' stands for Bundeswehr. With mint original olive green everready case stamped 'BWB 1482'.

LEICA M6 BRUNEI Gold 'Diamond' Edition

 

Starting price: € 30.000 / Estimate: € 55.000 – 60.000
no. 2283239/HB-039, 1996, condition A 


To commemorate the 50th birthday of His Majesty Sultan of Brunei on 15th Jul 1996, Brunei ordered the special limited edition. It was a special gift to prestige guests of honour at the birthday, and never released to the market for sale. The special number of this set is HB-039, with one fine cut diamond and the royal emblem engraving at the top plate. '15th July 1996' and 'In Commemoration of the 50th Birthday of His Majesty Sultan' are engraved at the back. The camera is covered with red lizard leather and plated in 24 carat gold. The set comes with Summilux-M 1.4/35mm ASPH lens no.3751039 in 24 carat gold plated, gold lens front cap with the royal emblem! With body cap, strap, lens cloth, hood, strap, lens rear cap, wooden box, certificate for the diamond, all papers and all packing - all in unused condition. Very few sets of this unique edition reached the market.

 

 

LEICA MP GOLD EDITION '60 Years PRC'

 

Starting price: € 20.000 / Estimate: € 38.000 – 45.000
no. 3831508, 2009, condition A


To commemorate the 60th Anniversary of People’s Republic of China, Leica produced this 24-carat gold-plated MP with Summilux-M 1.4/50mm ASPH lens. Body covered with red calf skin, only 61 sets made, each bears a mark between 1949-2009, engraved ' 華⼈⺠共和 國萬歲' on the top plate. The commemorate number is 2001, complete with full packing, in brand new condition, extremely rare on the market.

LEIZT SUMMILUX 1.4/35mm Black M3

Starting price: € 28.000 / Estimate: € 55.000 – 60.000
no. 1765637, 1960, condition A- 


Extremely rare first type M3 Summilux 1.4/35mm lens in black, with black steel rim. Compare James Lager Vol.II p.160 for a black steel rim lens with serial number 1765667. The lens offered is in fantastic, almost mint original condition. Comes with mint OLLUX hood, both caps and original 'OCSUC' maker's box.

 

 

LEITZ NOCTILUX 1.2/50mm CHROME 'Prototype'

Starting price: € 80.000 / Estimate: € 150.000 – 170.000
no. 0000733., c.1964, condition A- 


One of very few original chrome Noctilux lenses produced with correct prototype serial number. It is heavier (522g) than the standard black Noctilux (458g), produced in heavy brass. In perfect mint condition, clean lenses, chrome prototype rear cap, front cap. There were three series of Noctilux 1.2 prototype lenses made in black and chrome finish (Nos. 0000659 to 0000663, 0000725 to 0000734 and 0000767 to 0000770). Out of these 20 lenses, the most were made in black finish, the offered chrome lens has as expected half-click stops.

LEITZ ELCAN 2/66mm

Starting price: € 24.000 / Estimate: € 45.000 – 50.000
no. 283-0004, c.1970, condition A- 


The lens was specially made for the U.S. Navy with ultra-high resolution. It comprises with 9 glass elements. According to some literature, it was used by North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) during the Cold War. Extremely rare lens with military contract number 'VH6760-168-3240' engraved on front ring (see Lager II page 228). The offered lens is the fourth produced item in mint condition with perfect clean optics, both caps.

 

 

 

HUGO MEYER f.M39 MAKRO PLASMAT 2.7/3.5cm

Schätzpreis: € 18.000 / Estimate: € 34.000 – 38.000
no. 582432, 1934, condition A-


Extremely rare, RF coupled black/chrome Makro Plasmat in mint condition, with both original caps, black paint hood and the original brown Meyer leather case, quite unique in this condition.

KONISHIROKU f.M39 HEXANON 1.2/60mm

Starting price: € 12.000 / Estimate: € 22.000 – 26.000
no. 3360209, 1955, condition A- 


The 60mm Hexanon was one of Konishiroku's crowning achievements. Originally Konica produced three L mount lenses, but the 60mm was the real gem. Ultra-fast for the time it comprises of 8 elements in 6 groups. The lens barrel distancing is marked in feet, with a close focus of 3.5ft. The offered lens has the Hexanon front cap and rear cap, three original filter (UV,YI,RI), the extremely rare original hood and the 60mm BL finder - all stored in the brown Konishiroku leather case, with two Japanese instructions booklets and guarantee card, outer box - possibly unique in this like-new and complete condition.

 

ZEISS IKON RIFLESTOCK 543/75 Outfit

Starting price: € 28.000 / Estimate: € 55.000 – 60.000
c.1938, condition B 


The Zeiss Ikon Rifle Stock 543/75 was developed for the Olympic games 1936 in Germany by the famous sports photographer Lothar Rübelt, it is one of the most rare accessories for Contax with only few known to exist - it comes with a matching chrome Sonnar 2.8/18cm no. 2119893 (in fine condition) and Zeiss Ikon reflex housing 543/78 engraved on tripod adapter '2119893', cable release, near mint Contax III no.Y.74840. The outfit is stored in an early fitted leather case. Literature: Kuc - Auf den Spuren der Contax, volume I, page 200

 

 

NIKON S BLACK PAINT 'SANETOSHI KURATSUJI'

Starting price: € 30.000 / Estimate: € 55.000 – 65.000
no. 6112580, 1954, condition A/B 


About 15 black paint Nikon S cameras were produced from chrome bodies by special order from Life Magazine but only 3-4 cameras were made by Nikon in original black paint finish on brass body shall - this is one of only two cameras known to exist. It is in beautiful, near mint original and perfect working condition. The camera was owned by Nikon Sales Manager Mr. Sanetoshi Kuratsuji (his nameplate is still on the back door of the top plate) - ex Fujisawa/Tokyo collection.

 

 

NIKON S3M 'THE VERY FIRST'

Starting price: € 24.000 / Estimate: € 45.000 – 50.000
no. 6600001, 1960, condition A- 


Sensational discovery of the very first Nikon S3M camera produced. The earliest batch was produced in August 1960. S3M bodies were made in black or chrome. The first cameras were in chrome and had no motor plate. In total only 195 S3M cameras for 72 exposures 17x24mm were produced, the most in black. It is the rarest Nikon RF camera. It is in mint condition with clean finder, good contrast and perfect shutter, with Nikkor-H.C. 2/5cm no. 740469.

 

 

LANCASTER WATCH CAMERA MEN'S MODEL 

Starting price: € 16.000 / Estimate: € 30.000 – 34.000
c.1890, condition B 


The Watch Camera was manufactured by J. Lancaster & Son of Birmingham, from 1886 to 1900. It was patented on October 4th, 1886, patent no. 12571. It was constructed of engine turned metal with nickel plating. Designed to look like a pocket watch and easily carried in a waistcoat pocket. It was a self-erecting camera which expanded six spring-loaded telescoping tubes when opened to form the bellows of the camera. It featured an internal meniscus lens. The offered camera is the later model with drop shutter. Men's model for 1 1/2x2' plates, with original filmholder, the extremely rare camera is in fine original condition.

 

 

AMERICAN DAGUERROTYPE CAMERA SET

Starting price: € 9.000 / Estimate: € 17.000 – 19.000
c.1845, condition B/C 


Very rare and very early America Daguerreotype quarter-plate camera with chamfered front and back. Early type with internal sliding box. There is no maker's name on the camera, which is common on the early American Daguerreotype cameras. The lens is engraved '1100 L. Chapman New York' with American style radial drive, the matching lens for this camera and portrait photography. Also included is the very rare and interesting original tripod. American factory-made daguerreotype cameras are highly desirable and rarely come to the market, especially with their original tripod. The camera comes from the private collection of Jim McKeown and is illustrated on page 238 of McKeown’s 'Price guide to Antique and Classic Cameras', 12th Edition.

 

 

PRESTWICH MANUFACTURING Co. Model 4

Starting price: € 9.000 / Estimate: € 17.000 – 19.000
1898, condition B+ 


Very early 35mm motion picture camera, hand-cranked, in polished mahogany with fine dovetail construction with original brass and wood winding handle, with an E. Krauss Paris Zeiss Protar 6.3/54mm lens no. 33394. It was constructed on an entirely different principle from previous Cameras and was the first camera to take interchangeable lenses as well as interchangeable 50 feet and 400 feet magazines, equipped with the newly patented claw movement. The offered camera is in very fine, original condition and rarely seen on the market.