Bonhams To Sell Extremely Rare Leica Luxus 1

Bonhams is to sell one of the rarest cameras in the world, the legendary Leica Luxus 1, dating from 1930.  It is estimated to sell for around £400,000 – £570,000.

The sale itself will take place in Hong Kong on November 22 but before then the camera will be on view at Bonhams, Knightsbridge between 27 and 29 October 2013.

Bonhams set what was then a new world auction record of £600,000 for a Luxus Leica at its hugely successful inaugural sale of Leica cameras last year in Hong Kong.

The Leica Luxus cameras were produced on special order in very limited numbers - just 95 of them -  between 1929 and 1930 and it is not known for certain how many have survived.

Also on view at Bonhams Knightsbridge, prior to the Hong Kong sale, will be:  

A Leica IIIf Black Swedish army body from 1956 with an estimated price of £32,000- £48,400. A series of 100 Kaltefest ("winterized") Leica IIIf were produced in 1956 for the Swedish Army for arctic operations.

A Leica MP Hermes Edition from 2003 is estimated to sell for £6,800- £10,000. 'Edition Hermès' was made in a special edition of 500 silver-chrome cameras covered with Barenia calfskin supplied by the Parisian high-fashion house Hermès.

A 'Jesse Owens' Leica R4 presentation camera set from 1986 is estimated to sell for £1,300- £1,600. Six hundred sets were issued in 1986 to commemorate the golden jubilee of Jesse Owens' achievements at the 1936 Olympic Games.

Viewing times at Bonhams Knightsbridge are:

Sunday 27 October:     11.00.a.m. - 3.00.p.m.
Monday 28 October:    9.00.a.m. - 4.30.p.m.
Tuesday 29 October:   9.00.a.m. - 4.30.p.m.

For more information, take a look at the Bonhams website.