Leica 0-Series No. 112 from 1923 Auctioned for 7.2 Million Euros

Leica celebrates the 100-year anniversary of the iconic Leica I with numerous high-profile events around the globe. Held on 27 June as part of the Leica Century Event in Wetzlar, Leitz Photographica Auction 46 received particular attention, not least due to the 0-Series No. 112, a rare camera of considerable historical significance and monetary value, manufactured in 1923. It is one of the few surviving prototypes of the Leica I and was auctioned for 7.2 million euros including premium[1]. 

Never before has photography developed as rapidly as in the past 100 years, both in terms of its technical innovations and its cultural significance. The Leica I, the world's first serially produced 35mm camera, which was presented to the public in 1925, marked the beginning of this immensely prolific period. Before production commenced in 1925, Leica Camera AG (in its previous iteration Ernst Leitz Werke) had built a few prototypes – the so-called 0-Series with the serial numbers 101-125. 

The existence of almost a dozen of these Leica 0-Series cameras is still known today. As milestones in the history of photography and trailblazers of photojournalism, they are now coveted collector's items. This also includes the Leica 0-Series No. 112, auctioned on June 27 at Leica World in Wetzlar.

Historically significant and expensive 

“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. Even more so, since this particular 0-Series was received by Oskar Barnack[2] after production”, says Alexander Sedlak, Managing Director of Leitz Photographica Auction. According to him, the impact of the 0-Series on modern photography cannot be emphasised enough. “These prototypes were used to develop the trailblazing Leica I, which took photojournalism into new spheres and transformed photography from an extravagant hobby into an ubiquitous phenomenon.”

Estimated at 1.5 to 2 million euros, the Leica 0-Series No. 112 ultimately achieved a price of 7.2 million euros including premium at the 46th Leitz Photographica Auction. ‘A sum that is definitely appropriate for this extraordinary piece of history,’ says Alexander Sedlak. This makes the No. 112 the second most expensive camera ever sold. The world record is 14.4 million euros including premium, which was achieved when the Leica 0-Series No.105 was sold at the 40th Leitz Photographica Auction in June 2022.

About Leica Camera Classics:

The German Leica Camera AG has two branches in Vienna: Leica Camera Austria and Leica Camera Classics. The latter specializes in vintage cameras and has approximately 1,500 devices on display in its store at Westbahnstraße 40. The location also houses the largest spare parts warehouse for historic Leica cameras in the world. Because of this unique inventory, on-site technicians can inspect historic Leica cameras to the highest collector standards and restore them as needed before they are auctioned. Twice a year – in mid-June and late November – Leica Camera Classics organizes the Leitz Photographica Auction, the world's most important auction of vintage cameras, attracting bidders from over 100 countries. In addition, around 5,000 products are permanently offered in the LCC online store.
 

[1] Buyers pay a fee of 20 percent of the hammer price to the auction house.

[2] The inventor of the 35mm camera. 

Please find further information at:

Leica Camera AG
Ann-Kristin Schneider
Global PR Manager
E-Mail:  Ann-Kristin.Schneider@leica-camera.com 

About Leica Camera

Leica Camera AG is an international premium manufacturer of cameras, lenses and sports optics products with over 150 years of company history. As part of its growth strategy, the company has expanded its business to include mobile imaging (smartphones) and the manufacture of high-quality eyeglass lenses and watches and is represented in the home cinema segment with its own projectors. 

Headquartered in Wetzlar (Germany) and with a second production site in Vila Nova de Famalicão (Portugal), Leica Camera AG has a global network of its own sales companies with over 120 Leica Stores. 

The Leica brand stands for excellent quality, German craftsmanship and industrial design combined with innovative technologies. An integral part of the brand culture is the promotion of the culture of photography with around 30 Leica Galleries worldwide, Leica Academies and international awards such as the Leica Hall of Fame Award and the Leica Oskar Barnack Award (LOBA).