Ian D C Shephard Pentax collection at Special Auction Services

Press Release:

For more than thirty years, the renowned Pentax expert and author, Ian D C Shephard, has been quietly assembling a superlative collection of Pentax equipment, including more than 50 bodies, 90 lenses and numerous rare accessories, many in pristine original boxes and dating from 1959 to the early 1990s. On opening the boxes, collectors will find in almost every case the correct serial number, packing pieces, strap and ever ready case – just as they left the shop; some even have the original kanban card, the quality control device to ensure process efficiency.

Now the whole magnificent collection is being offered by Special Auction Services, the only UK auction house now holding regular sales of cameras and associated equipment.

The bodies in Ian’s collection look impressive, but the lenses are even more remarkable: the collection is mostly M42 screw-fit and includes everything from the sturdy early Takumars to the lustrous SMC Takumars and the finest of all, the mint f/6.7 135mm to 600mm zoom, in original flight case. The lens collection also includes rare Japanese military issues filters, a British military issue lens as well as paint variations of similar lenses. 

In order to build his knowledge and love of the subject, Ian went into even greater detail, putting together a formidable array of accessories of every type and function, from early light meters, US market Honeywell equipment to data backs and bulk film magazines.

To round it off, Ian built up a wealth of scarce research literature, promotional material, books, manuals, very rare service manuals, posters, point of sale literature, brochures and display stands. 

The whole collection totals 116 lots.

Special Auction Services holds three sales of Photographica each year; the next sales after this one are on 17 June and 11 November. The saleroom is located on the A4 near Thatcham, between Reading and Newbury, with easy access to the M4 and to London. All sales use the Live Auction facility for real-time internet bidding.

For further details, please contact Hugo Marsh on 01189 712949 or mobile 07825 077732, purchase a catalogue for £5 including postage, or view it on line on the Special Auction Services website or The Saleroom website.