The MP2 was the first experimental M camera with electric motor drive built in the late 1950s, only 21 chrome cameras were produced, less than 10 are known to exist with the original electric motor. The offered camera comes from the second batch of 15 cameras (nos.952001-952015). It is in very good and fully original condition, with matching chrome Wetzlar electric motor drive and very rare leather case for the battery pack (including connecting cord, but no battery pack), - it is one of the most important M cameras we've had a pleasure to offer for sale!

The MP2 is a modified, professional version of the Leica M2, equipped with a special electric motor drive. It has been made in a test series of only 27 examples, only 6 of them (with serial numbers 935507-935512) have been finished in black paint, which makes it one of the rarest known Leicas to exist.. The camera body is similar to an early standard M2 camera with button rewind knob. All the connections to the Leica Motor are in the base of the camera, the only feature visible on the outside (except for the special engraving) is a unique control ring surrounding the shutter release, which turns the motor off and prevents battery drain, when the camera is not in use. The MP2-Motor was capable of 3.5 pictures per second. It includes an electric coupling with the shutter release and mechanic connection to the film-guide roller (for film transport and shutter cocking). The MP2-Motor is only 40mm high and not only more compact, but also technically more advanced than the New York Motor. Despite of this fact, the inconvenience of the external battery pack led to the fact, that the NY Motor was the one, that went into serial production. Included in this lot is a battery grip with a diameter of 42mm and 145mm height, special battery pack and a prototype control box, 75x40mmin size, finished in red plastic, with a switch for single and continuous exposures. Only 15 MP2 cameras are known to exist, around half of them complete with original Leica Motor and battery pack. It is one of the rarest and most special Leica cameras we’ve had the pleasure to offer in our auctions!

the MP-2 was the first experimental M cameras with electric motor drive built in the late 1950's, only 6 cameras were produced in black paint finish (nos.535507-535512), only 4 are known to exist. Lager Volume 1 shows camera no.935511. This camera, just re-discovered and never been offered for sale before, is in almost new and fully original condition, with matching black Wetzlar electric motordrive and power source handle (condition B) - for sure the most important M camera ever offered in auction ! The original owner of the camera was Wilhelm Schack. He was a photographer who did his apprentice at the Leitz factory in Wetzlar. Later he became the official Kruger National Park photographer. His life long ambition was to track and photograph rhinoceros in Africa. At this he was successful and published the first book ever with detailed photographs of the rhinoceros called "Ich jagte das weisse Nashorn". He also won many awards at Photokina. Just before his tragic death, the Leitz factory sponsored him this black paint MP2 camera.

Thomas Hoepker's - the famous Stern photographer's - first Leica in original condition with Leicavit-MP. This camera is bound up with a lot of history and many stories. Thomas Hoepker used his MP regularly up till 1990. Many great reports were made with this camera including the famous story about Muhammad Ali. The camera is in perfect technical condition with a lovely patina. It was recently overhauled by the expert O. Michaely in Wetzlar and has the amazing serial-number 88! As a special tidbits the camera comes with three of his famous signed original photographs (fine prints) made with this camera as well as a letter of confirmation by Hoepker. It is a great opportunity to acquire a special collector's item with a large history.