In a landmark moment for photographic collecting, a rare 1923 Leica 0-Series camera has become the most expensive camera sold to date. The piece shattered previous records at the Galerie Westlicht in Vienna, Austria, where it fetched an incredible €2,160,000 (approximately $2,800,000 USD). Following an intense bidding battle, an anonymous collector secured the legendary German camera—a piece of history that not only serves as a museum-grade artifact but remains in full working order.
Leica 0-Series
Only approximately 25 of these cameras were produced in 1923 to test the market, two years before the commercial introduction of the Leica A. This camera is in excellent, fully working condition; while a small missing piece of leather on the side was replaced with contemporary vulcanite by Ottmar Michaely, all other parts—including the paintwork—are original. It comes with the matching lens cover, and the original folding finder has been replaced by the later Galilean finder, as was standard for the era. This camera is one of the greatest rarities in photographic history; previously, Leica 0-Series no. 107 set a world record when it sold for €1,320,000.
Condition: B-
Year: 1923
Serial no.: 116
Start price: EUR 300,000
Hammer price (incl. premium): EUR 2,160,000
[ Westlicht Auction ]
