The biannual Leitz Photographica Auction will take place on June 8 in Wetzlar, Germany, and a curated selection of extremely rare cameras, lenses, and special accessories will cross the auction block. “Celebrating this history is the leitmotif of Leitz Photographica Auction. Since its foundation in 2002, the auction house has organized its eponymous auction of vintage cameras and camera accessories twice a year and has become one of the world’s most renowned sources for historically significant photographic tools of all kinds,” the auction house says. “This includes items from a wide range of manufacturers. The focus is on Leica cameras and lenses, however.” Amongst all the extremely desirable and collectible lots that have been previewed ahead of the auction, the one that caught our attention is the Leitz Rifle Camera, valued at $280,000.
The Leitz NY Rifle that’s up for auction features a rifle stock that was originally developed for pre-war wildlife photography. According to the listing, the Leitz NY Rifle “is one of the rarest and most unusual Leica accessories.” Inspired by Commander Attilio Gatti, the well-known wildlife photographer in Africa, the Rifle was developed between 1935 and 1937 by E. Leitz, Inc. New York before being introduced to the public in July 1938. It was designed to reduce camera shake when using telephoto lenses.
According to various experts, less than 15 examples of the Rifle were produced between 1938 and ’39. The example up for grabs features a special viewfinder engraved with serial number 119 and ‘E.LEITZ INC. NEW-YORK’. The particular lot includes a modified PLOOT mirror housing no.1933, a modified Leica IIIb camera, and a Telyt 5/40cm lens. It has remained in one family’s ownership since the late 1930s, and this is the first time it’s up for sale in an auction. Included is a custom-made carrying case and a letter of provenance.
