A rare 1923 Leica Series 0 was sold at the Westlicht Camera auction in Vienna last Saturday for a whopping $2.97 million (2.4 million euros). The buyer is an undisclosed Asian bidder. It is now the most expensive camera ever sold, beating out a record held in 2012 by another 1923 Leica sold at 2.16 million euros. This particular model is part of a rare 25-piece prototype line produced in the early 20s, and is one of three that has remained in its original condition.
The Westlicht Museum, who held the auction, reports that the camera still functions excellently when shooting sharp images. This has made it highly valuable to camera aficionados. The Leica 1923 Series 0 survived the horrors of the Second World War. Such pioneering photojournalists like Robert Capa and Henri Cartier-Bresson used this model while shooting their groundbreaking work. Leica has remained to be one of the most esteemed brands in the world of photography.
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By Chino R. Hernandez
Featured image courtesy of NBC News
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