Leitz Photographica Auction: 1.02 million euros - collector pays record sum for a Leica MP black paint

The now 35th camera auction held by the auction house Leitz Photographica Auction in Vienna registered numerous top auction results.

The ‘magic’ price barrier of one million euros was broken again at the auction: With a price of 1,020,000 euros incl. buyer’s premium, the absolute highlight of the auction was a Leica MP black paint No. 2. The Leica MP No. 2 is the second Leica MP ever built and the first to be finished in black paint. The Leica MP was launched at the photokina show in Cologne in 1956. With a total production of 412 examples (including 141 in black paint), the Leica MP is one of the rarest Leica models of all.

For the first time, the proceeds of the sale of one particular lot were donated to a charitable organisation. Lot 108, a Leica M2 black paint, changed hands for an impressive 9,000 euros incl. buyer’s premium. The entire sum will be donated to the Austrian branch of the charity Caritas for its ‘Canisibus’ project – mobile soup kitchens that provide hot soup and bread for homeless persons.

‘Leitz Photographica Auction’ is one of the world’s leading auction houses for classic and vintage cameras and photographica, and is now firmly established on the international scene. A rare example of the Leica 0-Series produced in 1923 was a sensational highlight at the auction in 2018. The camera achieved a record-breaking hammer price of 2.4 million euros and still holds the record for the highest price ever paid for a camera sold by auction. For further information, please visit www.leitz-auction.com.

Leica Camera AG is an internationally operating, premium-segment manufacturer of cameras and sport optics products. The legendary reputation of the Leica brand is founded on a long tradition of excellent quality. In combination with innovative technologies, all Leica products fulfil a common objective: better pictures, wherever perception and visualization matter. Leica Camera AG has its headquarters in Wetzlar, in the state of Hessen in Germany, and a second production site in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal and operates its own worldwide network of regional organisations, Leica Retail Stores, Leica Galleries and Leica Akademies.