The Leica MP Edition Hermès

Leica MP LHSA 1968-2003 35mm rangefinder camera body with grey hammertone body, serial number MP-

Rare special edition Leica MP in mint, unused condition, with black/chrome finish and special maroon covering, the lens' preview lever factory removed. Including a special braided strap and matching maker's box.

A Leica MP 0.85 Rangefinder Camera, made in Germany, black, 10 306, serial no 2999835, 2003, shutter working, meter working, viewfinder clear,

A Leica MP Edition Hermés 10 307 Rangefinder Camera, serial no 2921689, 2003, number 367 of a 500 limited edition, shutter working, meter working,

2002, black, serial no. 2890419, body, G, shutter working, in maker's presentation box only, no outer box

an original vintage Leica MP, completely restored by Leitz in the 1980s, in beautiful cosmetic condition, and good working order, chassis engraved with the matching number, with matching, near-mint Leicavit MP and rigid Summicron 2/5cm no.1597067 (very good optics, front cap)

an extremely rare camera from an edition of only 10 (!) cameras issued to commemorate 10 years of the Leica Store Berlin, including an analogue Leica MP no.4983525 in special 'blue stain' finish, matching Summilux-M 1.4/50mm ASPH. no.4659017 (with a correct special number 18/20), complete with strap, all accessories and papers, in maker's box

Leica MP Nr. 235-SP, with Leicavit MP rapid winder

It was at the “Photokina” fair in Cologne in 1956 when the new Leica MP was introduced to the public. It was much more than a mere variation of the Leica M3. It was the only serial model which has an individual number, differing fundamentally from the usual fabrication numbers of all other Leica cameras. With a total number of only 412 units produced, the MP is among the rarest Leica models of all time. The black-paint version was produced only 141 times and acquired mainly by professional photographers. Many of the famous Magnum photographers used MP cameras. Today it is among the most sought-after Leicas of all. The idea which led to the production of the MP model came from several well-known American press photographers, who wanted to make use of the advantages of the Leicavit (available at that time for IIIf only) on their Leica M cameras as well. It was mainly the suggestion of Alfred Eisenstaedt and David Douglas Duncan which aroused the interest of Dr. Ludwig Leitz, who was the director of the development and construction department in 1955. The camera offered here is the second Leica MP ever made and the first one in black finish. It is in beautiful condition, with only minimal signs of use around the edges. During a service at Leitz it has received a later type back door (black paint), a quick film loading system and coupling for the New York electric motor drive (a very unusual upgrade!). The camera has been initially delivered to New York press photographer Bob Schwalberg (delivery date 08.10.1956). It comes with a Leicavit MP in black paint finish (with a Bob Schwalberg sticker inside). The camera is also included in Hasbroeck's '150 Classic Cameras' on pages 172-173. Included is a written expertise from Ottmar Michaely. It is one of the most important Leica cameras made. And probably the one that started the trend of black paint M cameras being used by professionals and loved by collectors nowadays.

special edition Leica MP in grey hammertone finish, issued to commemorate 35 years of LHSA, complete set including 10312 body, 14443 Leicavit M LHSA no.00459, chrome Summicron-M 2/35mm ASPH. 11616 no.3966548 with grey metal hood, all in near mint condition incl. all accessories and papers, with maker's boxes

Leica MP .58 Nr. 2983021

the rare camera in beautiful and 100% original condition, clean finder and perfect shutter (CLA by Ottmar Michaely), matching number on chassis inside the camera, Leicavit MP in near mint condition, with the original Summarit 1.5/5cm no.1276063, with Leica MP brochure from 1957

limited edition of 500 pieces (special no.011/500), complete and new with Summicron 2/35mm Asph., maker's box

Black paint MP in almost mint and original, never restored condition, casting number 111802, 'P 99' engraved on chassis. With matching Leicavit MP and black paint Summicron 2/5 cm no.1468952, original ever ready case, cap and the brochure dated IX/56. With expertise by Ottmar Michaely. It is remarkable that camera and lens were both originally shipped together to New York on November 19, 1957 (shipping number 49851/61932). Provenance: Private collection USA. The black-paint version was produced only 141 times and has been acquired mainly by professional photographers. Many of the famous Magnum photographers used MP cameras. Today it is among the most sought-after Leica's. The mere fact that the Leica MP was bought and used almost exclusively by photo journalists allows us to conclude that a second, black-paint MP in this pristine, original state is practically impossible to find.

Very early and fully original black paint MP (the camera has never been modified and comes with the black Leicavit MP, the typical rewind crank used by Magnum photographer with a very early 9-element Elmarit 2.8/28mm no.2062373) used for many years by it's first owner, Magnum photographer Paul Fusco (born 1930), who started his work for Look. He became an associate of Magnum Photos in 1973 and a full member a year later. Over the years, Fusco also contributed to such publications as Life, Mother Jones, the New York Times Magazine, Newsweek, Psychology Today and Time. His photography often documented social issues and injustices, such as poverty, ghetto life, and cultural experimentation across America. He also worked internationally covering events in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. In the late 1990s he spent two months documenting the legacy of the Chernobyl meltdown in Belarus. Fusco moved to Mill Valley, California in the 1980s but is now based in New York City. Many of his photographs are in the Magnum Photos archive currently held at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin. For all his work he used this and the 2 other Leica MP cameras (MP-46, MP-228) offered in this auction. ('Peter, it is very interesting and pleasurable to be involved with you in this kind of mythical adventure about these truly beautiful cameras'), included photographs showing Paul Fusco with his cameras and letter of confirmation by Paul Fusco.

unique prototype of Leica MP, engraved on top plate: M6 - P000009 Leica LEICA CAMERA AG GERMANY, this camera has vulcanite leather covering

Before a small series of 27 MP2 cameras were produced, Leitz Wetzlar had already made tests with an electric motor drive for the M-series in 1956. According to the works records, this camera was given to Mr. Hilgendorf, the constructor of the first Wetzlar Leica motor drive, on November 18th 1957 and noted in the records as 'MP f. motor'. In total only two more of these cameras were made: Leica M3 Betriebsk. Nr.1147 and Leica MP Betriebsk. Nr.1166. 'Betriebsk.' means that these cameras were only used inside the Leitz factory for test purposes. Number 1147 is in a private collection, number 1166 was dismantled and probably destroyed. The motor drive looks like the spring-wound MOOLY and had a key for 'open / close' on the bottom, similar to a bottomplate. The release was already internal but there was still no microswitch to prevent the motor being on while the shutter was wound. This feature was later installed on the MP2 motordrive – similar to the change from first to second model Leitz New York Leica motor. It was constructed for more than 4 exposures per second. Only two more of these motor drives were built, one is in a private collection with M3-Betriebsk.1147, the other motor was built into a cut-away model. This camera is illustrated in Lager 1 page 198, see also: Wilhelm Albert, Geburtstage der Leitz-Photo-Konstruktionen ab 1927, page 204. This camera is certainly the most important M camera ever offered at a public auction!

Leica MP no. 376
chrome, with two-stoke shutter winder, early strap lugs, shutter speed sequence B, 1, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30, 60, 125, 250, 500, 1000, chrome Leicavit MP rapid winder, the camera shutter crate engraved P.376