Leitz Leica CL
The Leica CL is a compact 35mm rangefinder camera introduced in 1973, developed jointly by Leitz and Minolta and produced until 1976. It uses the Leica M bayonet mount and features through-the-lens metering, positioning it when new as a smaller and more affordable companion to the full-size M-series bodies.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Leica CL body have spanned roughly £200 to £600, with a 2025 Chiswick result at £605 and a Special Auction Services sale at £460 bracketing where clean examples sell for today. Across the longer saleroom record the overall range is about £120–£900, with a median near £420, and condition, completeness of the meter and the presence of the matching 40mm Summicron-C drive most of the price variation in the auction market.
Variants
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 Jahre Leica (50th Anniversary) | — | — | 4 | £382 – £881 |
| Betriebskamera | — | — | 0 | — |
| Cut-Away | — | — | 0 | — |
| Dummy | — | — | 0 | — |
| Dummy (w/hand) | — | — | 0 | — |
| Everest Expedition outfit | — | — | 0 | — |
Sales History
Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.
| Date | Price | Source | Variant | |
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| Mar 2026 | £140 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 288) Title: A Leitz Wetzar Leica CL Compact Camera
Description:
A Leitz Wetzar Leica CL Compact Camera, made in Japan, serial no 1325804, 193-74, shutter not working, shutter curtain twisted, meter responsive, |
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| Nov 2025 | £400 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 1) Title: A Leica CL Compact 35mm Camera
Description:
black, body G, small dent to the bottom plate dial, some paint wear, shutter working, RF patch working, with a f/2 40mm Leitz Wetzlar lens, barrel G, |
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| Jul 2025 | £202 | Chiswick Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Photographica (Lot 254) Title: Leica CL Compact Camera. Body #1306222.
Description:
Leica CL Compact Camera. Body #1306222. Shutter firing but wind-on lever needs to be manually returned (spring problem?) or shutter not fully cocked. ... read more |
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| Jul 2025 | £605 | Chiswick Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Photographica (Lot 255) Title: Leitz Minolta CL Compact Camera & 40mm Lens.
Description:
Leitz Minolta CL Compact Camera & 40mm Lens. Body #1018091. Shutter firing and meter responsive, but not checked for accuracy. With 40mm f2 Minolta M- ... read more |
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| May 2025 | £460 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 473) Title: A Leitz Wetzlar Leica CL Rangefinder Camera
Description:
A Leitz Wetzlar Leica CL Rangefinder Camera, serial no 1321224, 1973-74, shutter working, meter working, rangefinder working, body G, tiny ding to |
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| Apr 2025 | £625 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 42) Title: A Leica CL Rangefinder Camera
Description:
1973-74, black, serial no. 1332436, with Summicron-C f/2 40mm lens, black, serial no. 2592884, body, VG< shutter working, lens, VG, some internal |
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| Nov 2024 | EUR 850 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 45 (Lot A01351) Title: Leica CL '50 Years' outfit
Description:
Limited edition Leica CL issued to commemorate 50 years of Leica cameras, with special engravings on the front plate, including body no.1403868 in near-mint condition, needs maintenance, Summicron-C 2/40mm no.2675102 (showing some haze), Elmar-C 4/90mm no.2604063 (showing some haze) with rubber hood. Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 900 |
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| Oct 2024 | £650 | David Duggleby | — | |
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Auction: Cameras, Maritime & Scientific Instruments (Lot 3001) Title: Leica CL camera body serial no. 1409019, with instruction booklet, two Leitz Wetzlar lense...
Description:
Leica CL camera body serial no. 1409019, with instruction booklet, two Leitz Wetzlar lense... |
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| Oct 2024 | £260 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 124) Title: A Leica CL Rangefinder Camera Body
Description:
A Leica CL Rangefinder Camera Body, serial no 1306063, 1973-74, shutter working, meter responsive, rangefinder working, body G, light wear, with body |
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| Nov 2023 | £1,000 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 44) Title: A Leica CL Rangefinder Camera
Description:
1973/74, black, serial no. 1329002, with Leitz Summicron-C f/2 40mm lens, black, serial no. 2636431, body, G-VG, shutter working, lens, VG, some |
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| Jun 2023 | EUR 2,200 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 42 (Lot AI_20220121_1128_41618) Title: Leica CL outfit
Description:
body in near-mint condition and working order, with clean and clear Summicron-C 2/40mm no.2744936 (rubber hood and front cap), Elmar-C 4/90mm no.2686261 (rubber hood, filter and both caps) showing traces of removed fungus, with outfit case Estimate: EUR 1,200 - EUR 1,400 |
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| Nov 2022 | EUR 2,200 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 41 (Lot AI_41_40876) Title: Leica CL + Elmarit-C 2.8/40mm
Description:
very early body (serial number starts with 1300001) in near mint condition (a light dent on the side), together with a very rare Elmarit-C 2.8/40mm no.2512690, very few of these lenses have been made in 1972 (about 400 pieces) and were never officially released, good optics, with rubber hood and leather pouch Estimate: EUR 3,600 - EUR 4,000 |
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| Oct 2022 | £500 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 14) Title: A Leica CL Rangefinder Camera
Description:
black, serial no. 1314669, with Leitz Summicron f/2 40mm lens, black, serial no. 2679423, body, VG, shutter working, rangefinder patch faint, lens, G- |
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| Oct 2022 | £500 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 13) Title: A Leica CL Rangefinder Camera
Description:
1975-76, black, serial no 1432008, with a Leitz Wetzlar Summicron-C f/2 40mm lens, body G, slight battery corrosion, shutter working, lens G, small |
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| Oct 2022 | £600 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 11) Title: A Leica CL Rangefinder Camera
Description:
black, 1973-74, serial no. 1329843, with a Leitz Wetzlar Summicron-C f/2 40mm lens, serial no. 2678252, body G, lens G-VG, shutter working Note: Lot |
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| Dec 2021 | £149 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 374) Title: A Leica CL Rangefinder Body
Description:
black, serial no. 1321968, body, F, shutter not working |
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| Nov 2021 | £496 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science (Lot 57) Title: A Leica CL Rangefinder Camera
Description:
1975-76, black, serial no. 1426035, with Minolta M-Rokkor f/2 40mm lens, black, serial no. 2123603, body, G-VG, shutter working, lens, VG, some light |
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| Nov 2021 | £769 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science (Lot 56) Title: A Leica CL Rangefinder Camera Outfit
Description:
black, serial no. 1315056, with Leitz Summicron-C f/2 40mm lens, 1973, black, serial no. 2566622, body, G-VG, shutter working, slow speeds inaccurate, |
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| May 2021 | £400 | Harper Field Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Buying & Selling (Lot 1904) Title: Leica CL 35mm camera, serial number 1330915, with Summicron-C 1:2/40 lens serial number 2708564,
Description:
Leica CL 35mm camera, serial number 1330915, with Summicron-C 1:2/40 lens serial number 2708564, |
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| Jun 2019 | EUR 900 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 34 (Lot AI_34_37194) Title: Leica CL Display Hand
Description:
original advertising silver display hand (inscription: Leitz WETZLAR and EIGENTUM DER ERNST LEITZ GMBH WETZLAR MADE W GERMANY) in beautiful condition, with non-working CL body no.1333363 Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| Apr 2018 | £624 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 1068) Title: A Leica CL Rangefinder Camera
Description:
1973/74, black, serial no. 1315074, with Leitz Summicron-C f/2 40mm lens, 1973, black, serial no. 2631021, body, VG-E, shutter working, lens, VG-E, |
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| Mar 2018 | EUR 600 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 32 (Lot AI_32_36139) Title: Leica CL
Description:
in near mint condition and good working order, with Summicron-C 2/40mm no.2743134 (hood, UV filter, cap), strap and soft case Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 900 |
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| Oct 2017 | £576 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 18) Title: A Leica CL Rangefinder Camera
Description:
black, serial no. 1400018, with Leitz Summicron-C f/2 40mm lens, black, serial no. 2638888, body, VG-E, shutter working, lens, VG, some light |
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| Nov 2016 | EUR 850 | Leitz Auction | 50 Jahre Leica (50th Anniversary) | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 29 (Lot AI_29_33390) Title: Leica CL '50 Years'
Description:
mint Leica CL '50 Years' edition no.1404404 with papers, in maker's box, together with mint, boxed Leica AF-C1 and Leica Mini II Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 800 |
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| Nov 2014 | EUR 900 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 26 (Lot AI_26_30821) Title: CL outfit
Description:
in new condition including body no.1409426 (cap, strap, case, instructions) with Summicron-C 2/40mm no.2679612 (caps, hood, filter), Elmar-C 4/90mm no.2601333 (caps, hood, keeper), outfit case 14825, all in original maker's boxes Estimate: EUR 1,200 - EUR 1,500 |
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| Nov 2011 | EUR 850 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 20 (Lot AI_20_13439) Title: CL
Description:
mint body in good working order with matching Summicron-C 2/40mm no.2563235, hood, cap, case Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 900 |
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| Nov 2011 | EUR 950 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 20 (Lot AI_20_13440) Title: CL
Description:
near mint camera with matching Summicron-C 2/40mm no.2744317 (cap, hood), in original Leitz hand display stand Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 1,000 |
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| May 2010 | EUR 12,500 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 17 (Lot AI_17_10996) Title: CL 'Prototyp'
Description:
unique prototype of Leica CL with automatic exposure control, shutter speeds to 4 seconds, in very fine original condition Estimate: EUR 18,000 - EUR 22,000 |
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| Jun 2007 | £384 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Leica, Nikon, 35mm & Other Photographic Equipment (Lot 287) Title: Leica CL no. 1307481
Description:
Leica CL no. 1307481 Estimate: £350 - £450 |
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| Jun 2007 | £288 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Leica, Nikon, 35mm & Other Photographic Equipment (Lot 288) Title: Leica CL no. 1426943
Description:
Leica CL no. 1426943 Estimate: £250 - £300 |
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| May 2006 | £264 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Cameras, Magic Lanterns and Photographs (Lot 126) Title: Leica CL no. 1333284
Description:
Leica CL no. 1333284 Estimate: £250 - £300 |
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| Feb 2006 | £420 | Christie's | 50 Jahre Leica (50th Anniversary) | |
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Auction: Cameras and Photographic Equipment including the Property of a Photographer (Lot 63) Title: Leica CL Anniversary no. 1435176
Description:
Leica CL Anniversary no. 1435176 Estimate: £350 - £450 |
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| Nov 2005 | £240 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS, MAGIC LANTERNS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 159) Title: Leica CL no. 1320627
Description:
Leica CL no. 1320627 Estimate: £250 - £350 |
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| Sep 2005 | £600 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 20) Title: Leica CL no. 1330316
Description:
Leica CL no. 1330316 Estimate: £500 - £800 |
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| May 2005 | £780 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS, PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT AND OPTICAL TOYS INCLUDING (Lot 77) Title: Leica CL no. 1332303
Description:
Leica CL no. 1332303 Estimate: £600 - £900 |
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| Nov 2004 | EUR 688 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 6 (Lot AI_6_24419) Title: Leica CL
Description:
mint with Summicron-C 2/40mm no.2679316, hood no.12517, cap, papers, original maker's box, case, strap Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 1,000 |
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| Sep 2004 | £382 | Christie's | 50 Jahre Leica (50th Anniversary) | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 98) Title: Leica CL Anniversary no. 1408925
Description:
Leica CL Anniversary no. 1408925 Estimate: £300 - £500 |
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| Feb 2004 | £478 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT INCLUDING MAGIC LANTERNS (Lot 33) Title: Leica CL no. 1437620
Description:
Leica CL no. 1437620 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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| Dec 2003 | £117 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: LEICA CAMERAS THE PROPERTY OF A COLLECTOR (Lot 304) Title: Leica CL no. 1429090
Description:
Leica CL no. 1429090 Estimate: £250 - £350 |
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| Apr 2003 | £705 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT.THE PROP OF DRS.M.SORRELL (Lot 85) Title: Leica CL no. 1430931
Description:
Leica CL no. 1430931 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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| Feb 2002 | £293 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 105) Title: Leica CL no. 1334746
Description:
Leica CL no. 1334746 Estimate: £300 - £500 |
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| Oct 2000 | £646 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: LEICA, CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 431) Title: Leica CL no. 1327803
Description:
Leica CL no. 1327803 Estimate: £500 - £800 |
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| Jun 2000 | £881 | Christie's | 50 Jahre Leica (50th Anniversary) | |
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Auction: Leica Cameras (Lot 393) Title: Leica CL Anniversary no. 1438832
Description:
Leica CL Anniversary no. 1438832 Estimate: £600 - £800 |
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| May 2000 | £493 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Magic Lanterns, Optical Toys and Cameras (Lot 196) Title: Leica CL no. 1329044
Description:
Leica CL no. 1329044 Estimate: £280 - £350 |
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| Jun 1999 | £552 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Leica Cameras (Lot 472) Title: Leica CL no. 1309737
Description:
Leica CL no. 1309737 Estimate: £200 - £300 |
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| Nov 1998 | £632 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 93) Title: Leica CL no. 1303306
Description:
Leica CL no. 1303306 Estimate: £300 - £400 |
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| Sep 1998 | £402 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: COLLECTABLE CAMERAS FROM CLASSIC COLLECTION (Lot 98) Title: Leica CL no. 1408004
Description:
Leica CL no. 1408004 Estimate: £20 - £400 |
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| Jul 1998 | £586 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 121) Title: Leica CL no. 1397185
Description:
Leica CL no. 1397185 Estimate: £500 - £700 |
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| Jun 1998 | £517 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: LEICA AND 35MM CAMERAS (Lot 550) Title: Leica CL no. 1326047
Description:
Leica CL no. 1326047 Estimate: £500 - £700 |
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| Mar 1998 | £437 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS & OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 102) Title: Leica CL no. 1319023
Description:
Leica CL no. 1319023 Estimate: £300 - £500 |
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| Mar 1998 | £414 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS & OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 108) Title: Leica CL no. 1306702
Description:
Leica CL no. 1306702 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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| Mar 1998 | £253 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS & OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 119) Title: Leica CL no. 1331302
Description:
Leica CL no. 1331302 Estimate: £200 - £300 |
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| Mar 1998 | £437 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS & OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 116) Title: Leica CL no. 1396917
Description:
Leica CL no. 1396917 Estimate: £300 - £400 |
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