Collectibles We are your qualified partner for rare and unusual Leica-Cameras, -lenses and accessories. We are engaged in the history of the Leica-system since 1984. The following selection shows a small selection of items, we were handling in the past. We buy and sell important Leica-collectibles, do valuations, arrange repairs and reconditiongs, sell your items in commission or offer you the piece you are looking for.
	Leica M3 premodel . Before the Leica M3 was introduced in the market in 1954, a small series of circa 65 pieces of the so called M3 premodel (prototype) was made. These cameras to compare them with the later production model, differ in some specifications, for example outside framecounter, release-button, which can be locked in the "B"-position, opposite winding direction of the film-rewind, special button for a film-punch in the reardoor, with which the single negatives could be marked, shape of the top- and bottomplate as well as of the fittings and style of the engravings. The cameras of this series were given to responsible people for testing purposes. After the test they went back to the factory and were dismantled to check the internal construction for abrasion. The parts of the dismantled cameras were destroyed. Just a few examples survived out of this fate and were sold to factory-employees. The M3 premodel is one of the most sought after models in the collectorīs market of today. Experts estimate,that not more than a dozen of these cameras should have survived. The illustrated camera is the number 10 of this series, which was numbered 001 to 0065. It is in mint original condition.
	Leica Luxus. The model A was the first available Leica-model in the common market. When introduced in 1925 at the Leipzig spring fair, it starte the worldwide success of the 35mm-photography until today. Already in the early 30īs more than 50.000 Leica-cameras were produced. Usually the Leica A was available in a black paint finish, but also a very expensive gold plated version of the model A was available in 1929/30. These cameras had a cover of coloured lizard-skin. In this so-called luxus-version only 95 examples of the model A were produced. Since the Leica in an object of the collectors-market, the luxus-Leica is one of the models, if which collectors are most fascinated. This may be caused by the gold plating as such, as well as by its rarity. So over the years many golden Leicas followed - as well replicas and fakes of the genuine luxux-Leica, as well as gold plated versions of later models. The illustrated camera is a genuine model A luxus, on which - also goldplated - straplugs were added later on customerīs request.
	Leica MD gray. The Leica MD was an M-camera without viewfinder and angefinder. It was introduced in 1964 and was thought as a camera fr use with the Visoflex, on a repro-unit or as a microphotographic camera. Generally the MD was delivered in a satin-chrome finish, whereas the first ten examples of the series were finished in a hammertone-gray paint. The idea was to fit the finish of the Leitz microscopes of the time. The series of the hammertone-gray MD runs from 1102501 to 1102510. All ten cameras of the series were delivered to a dealer in the Chicago-area in 1964 and regulary sold in the common market. Because of ist most beautiful and unique finish, the gray Leica MD is without doubt one of the biggest rarities in the Leica-system. The illustrated camera is the seventh example of the series. It comes still in its original package, complete with instructions and warranty-card and remained in unused condition until today.
	Leica 72. The Leica 72 (code LKOOM) is the only commercially produced Leica-model with half-frame format of 18X24mm. So, 72 instead of 36 frames could be taken with one roll of film. The Leica 72 was produced by Leitz in Midland, Canada in one consecutive series of 150 examples. In addition, 33 examples were made in Wetzlar in a period of twenty years between 1950 and 1970. These halfframe-cameras give a unique fascination to Leica-collectors all over the world, since Leica-cameras began to be collectibles. This may be caused by their rarity on the one hand, but on the other by the fact, that they are in exception of the post- and the x-ray -models the only Leica cameras, which donīt use the classic Leica-format. The illustrated cameras are 72-models of the Wetzlar-series. Two different variants of the halfframe viewfinder do exist - one with a folding and one with a fixed mask.
	Leica IIIf black. Bevor the Leica M3 started the triumph of Leica-M photography in 1954, the model IIIf was the last and also most succesful Leica-model. In all, more than 184.000 examples of the Leica IIIf were made. Normally, the Leica IIIf was available in a satin chrome version. Just 100 examples were prepared in black paint finish by order of the swedish military in 1956. The factory-records indicate these cameras as "kältefest" (winterised). For use in arctic coldness, they were prepared with a special ball-earing. The black IIIf Leicas were delivered with an also black painted Elmar 3,5/50-lens. In original-condition the black Leica IIIf today is a great rarity, as not all of the 100 examples have survived the military use and also, many of the surviving examples have been restored. Many faked examples of the black Leica IIIf have also been reported, which are often difficultly to identify from restored original ones. The illustrated camera is the 75th example of the series, which reached from Nr. 822901 to 823000. It is in unrestored original condition.