About - Wetzlar Camera Auctions GmbH

February 13, 2021 Jo Geier

Proven competences and accurate market knowledge. This expertise of Wetzlar Camera Auctions GmbH provides the prerequisites for valuing and describing high-quality collector's items from the field of classic photo cameras and thus marketing them by means of special auctions.

With the experts Lars Netopil and Jo Geier, these competences have now been bundled to offer the best possible quality in all respects of the auction, both to buyers and sellers.

This ranges from the authentication of the objects offered to us, the professional classification and description in the catalogue, to the reliable handling of the auction.

Our experts

Jo Geier Mint & Rare

Jo Geier has more than 10 years of experience in the field of Photographica Auctions and also has a broad and in-depth knowledge of equipment from all manufacturers.

Lars Netopil Classic Cameras

For more than 30 years, Lars Netopil has been one of the few experts in the world to be considered as absolutely competent in questions regarding the history of the Leica camera.

Our auction house is based in Wetzlar - the birthplace of the Leica camera.

You are considering to part with your single high-class collectible item or your entire collection? On the basis of our expertise and our many years of contacts with worldwide collectors, we offer you the best possible marketing. Please feel free to contact us.

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Wetzlar Camera Auctions GmbH

Domplatz 6

35578 Wetzlar

Germany

T +49 6441 9822322

F +49 6441 9822323

info@wetzlarcameraauctions.com

http://www.wetzlarcameraauctions.com

Sitz der Gesellschaft: Wetzlar

Amtsgericht - Registergericht:
Wetzlar HRB 7596

Geschäftsführer:

Johannes Geier

Lars Netopil

David Pitzer

Some highlights of our past auctions.

Leitz Moment Camera "Fritz Lehr Wetzlar" (1904/1905)

Leitz Moment Camera "Fritz Lehr Wetzlar" (1904/1905)

Hammer Price 62.500 Euros incl. premium

This very rare 9x12 cm Leitz Moment Kamera with Summar 120 mm f/4.5 was originally delivered to the photographer Fritz Lehr of Wetzlar. Presumably the only Leitz Moment Camera, which was originally delivered to Wetzlar itself. Historically significant!

Leica I Model A Luxus (1929)

Leica I Model A Luxus (1929)

Hammer Price 275.000 Euros incl. premium

With this specimen of an original gold plated Leica Model A, one of the great classics among the rare Leica collectibles has been auctioned.

According to today's state of knowledge, only 95 specimens were delivered in the years 1929-1931.

IIIa (Model G) with MOOLY Cutaway Set (1937)

Hammer Price 62.500 Euros incl. premium

Leica IIIa (model G), original factory cutaway model No. 309, complete with Leica Motor MOOLY cutaway model and electromagnetic release.

The MOOLY is a pre-production version without serial number.

Leica 250GG with mechanical Rapid Winder (1938 - 40)

Hammer Price 162.500 Euros incl. premium

This Leica 250 (GG) comes complete with the extremely rare mechanical "Schnellaufzug für 10 m. Kamera (rapid winder for 10 m. camera)“. Wits its plunger operated film advance it was constructed in the years 1938 to 1940 and produced only in a few sample units. Never offered at auction before!

Leica IIId No. 1 (1939)

Hammer Price 49.784 Euros incl. premium

This camera is not only the first Leica IIId, but also represents the first (serial production) Leica camera with a die-cast shutter crate. Its recent discovery in a U.S. garage sale can, without exaggeration, be described as a sensation. Historically significant!

Leitz Summicron 1:2/5 cm No.1 (1952)

Leitz Summicron 1:2/5 cm No.1 (1952)

Hammer Price 37.500 Euros incl. premium

The very first Summicron, delivered on 31st of October 1952 to Alfred Boch, head of the former Leitz agency in New York. The lens is pictured in the first Leitz New York Summicron brochure "The new Leica Summicron 50mm f/2 lens" of May 1953. Historically significant!

Leitz Summar 1:0.85/7.5 cm Evolution (1935-52)

Hammer Price 55.967 Euros incl. premium

The three lenses offered in one Lot represent the entire development of the remarkable 7,5 cm Summar. It is the first prototype from 1935, a lens from the Spanner device from the Second World War, and the lens delivered on June 10th 1952, which is probably the last of this type.

Historically significant!

Leica M3 olive Bundeseigentum (1958)

Leica M3 olive Bundeseigentum (1958)

Hammer Price 93.277 Euros incl. premium

Early double stroke version, unusually located within the 916.xxx serial numbers as a single issue. Decal on top cover "BMVtdg", abbreviation means "Bundesministerium für Verteidigung (Defense Ministry)".

Fratelli Borletti Fiumea Rangefinder Camera Prototype (1948)

Fratelli Borletti Fiumea Rangefinder Camera Prototype (1948)

Hammer Price 68.403 Euros incl. premium

A prototype from Ettore Boscoli's workshop commissioned for the Borletti brothers (Fratelli Borletti). Exact copy of a Leica IIIa.

Giorgio Moretti FAF Helios Prototype (ca. 1948)

Giorgio Moretti FAF Helios Prototype (ca. 1948)

(Hammer Price 80.841 Euros incl. premium

Italian Leica copy prototype based on the second version of the SONNE, but without rangefinder.

Specially made for Giorgio Moretti, Venice.

The camera never went into serial production and probably only 2-3 prototype cameras were made.

Nikon L (1947/48)

Nikon L (1947/48)

Hammer Price 397.984 Euros incl. premium

Experimental Nikon 35 mm camera from the time of the very early prototyping, when it was yet to decide, whether to go for Leica screw mount or for the „Contax" bayonet. No other specimen of such an early Nikon prototype camera with Leica screw mount has ever surfaced. Historically significant!

Recta Rangefinder Camera Prototype (ca. 1954)

Hammer Price 75.000 Euros incl. premium

The very first prototype of the Italian Leica copy produced by Telemaco Corsi, the inventor of the Rectaflex camera. The Rangefinder cameras of Rectaflex never went into serial production and it is believed that production has not exceeded 10 prototype cameras.

Rectaflex Gold (ca. 1953)

Hammer Price 81.250 Euros incl. premium

This extremely rare, originally gold plated Rectaflex with brown covering and apricot painted non-gold plated metal parts, is equipped with one of two known AKTON 1: 2/50 mm lenses. Presumably, only 12 specimens of the gold plated Rectaflex were made.