Much of my job involves following the latest technological trends in computing, software and digital photography. However, occasionally it makes a nice change to look back at how far that technology has advanced.
Just such an opportunity arose the other day when I received a press release announcing that one of the world’s oldest and rarest film cameras is coming up for auction on June 27, 2025, during the Leica Century Event at Leica World in Hessen, Germany. This is where the Leitz Photographica Auction house will present one of the most extraordinary lots in the history of photography.
The first serially produced Leica camera was the Leica I and it revolutionized the world of photography and photojournalism when it was launched 100 years ago. With its compact and handy format, the Leica I enabled professional photographers and photo enthusiasts to capture more candid shots thanks to the camera’s portability and image quality.
In 1923, two years before commercial production of the Leica I began, the Ernst Leitz Werke had already been working on a few prototypes. These so-called 0-Series cameras had the serial numbers ranging from 101-125. The existence of almost a dozen of these prototype models is still known today.
As milestones in the history of photography and marking the birth of photojournalism, these rare cameras have now become coveted collector’s items. In 2022, Leitz Photographica Auction set a new world record when it sold the world’s most expensive camera. The 0-Series with serial number 105 fetched €14.4 million at auction.
Now, to the occasion of the anniversary celebrations at Leica Welt in Wetzlar, Leitz Photographica Auction has another 0-Series Leica to auction on June 27, 2025. This time it’s with the serial number 112. The camera will be presented to the public for the first time during Milan Design Week and will go on display at the Leica Store Milano from April 4th.
The Leica 0-Series No. 112 is more than 100 years old and is one of the first 35mm cameras ever produced. After its assembly, the camera was personally accepted by Oskar Barnack, head of the test department at Ernst Leitz Werke. Shortly before the First World War, Barnack had designed the “Ur-Leica” – a camera that used 35mm film and was small enough to fit in a jacket pocket. This innovative design would go on to inspire the classic Leica I and its prototype 0-Series.
While the original ‘Ur-Leica’ is still owned by Leica Camera AG and is definitely not for sale, passionate collectors of of these vintage cameras occasionally get the rare opportunity to purchase one of the extant dozen 0-Series models.
The demand for these early cameras is massive. The last three 0-Series models all sold at auction for more than €2 million each. Leitz Photographica Auction was behind two of these record-breaking sales. However, in 2018, the auction house set a world record for the most expensive camera when it sold the 0-Series with serial number 122 for €2.4 million including buyer’s premium. However, that record was shattered in 2022 with the sale of the 0-Series serial number 105 which fetched €14.4 million at auction. To this day, that Leica camera holds the world record as the most expensive ever sold.
“An 0-Series for sale certainly draws the attention of the international collector’s scene”, says Alexander Sedlak, managing director of Leitz Photographica Auction. “These prototypes laid the foundation for modern photography. To auction such a legendary camera, honoring the 100th anniversary of the Leica I, is a particular pleasure.”
The 0-Series No. 112 is, which spearheads the highlights of Leitz Photographica Auction 46, will be presented to the public during Milan Design Week. The auction house’s upcoming top lot will be exhibited at the Leica Store Milano from April 4, 2025. Leitz Photographica Auction will also showcase additional highlights in the weeks to come, with a full auction catalogue set to be released in May 2025.
To find out more about this classic piece of photographic innovation, visit www.leicashop.com and https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/
