Chance encounters sometimes lead to hidden treasures. A customer of London’s Red Dot Cameras just happened to mention that his father had owned a Leica dealership many years ago in the West Country. He thought that his mother had a few bits and pieces in the attic and wondered whether or not Ivor Cooper would be interested in buying.
The box arrived last week. The outstanding thing about it was not the content, although that was desirable in itself, but the fact that everything was boxed and brand new. Presumably it was stuff that hadn’t been sold when the dealership closed down and had just been forgotten. Some of the boxes were sealed and others were still in the brown-paper Leica wrapping, as clean as the day they left the factory. The presence of two Leicina Super 8 cameras and two CL rangefinders dates this treasure trove to the mid-seventies, so roughly more than 40 years ago.
Leincina Super
The Leicinas are new, complete with cellophane wrapping, in the box that had already been opened. The other example, still wrapped, is presumably exactly the same. The two CL rangefinders are each accompanied by pristine 40mm and 90mm lenses. There is also a new, sealed R3. The rest of the trove consists of additional lenses, including some R glass — again, all is in ex-factory condition.
How do you value such a hoard. The Leicinas are not particularly valuable, perhaps £150 each, while the CL sets, including the two lenses, would probably retail for £1,200 each. But it is difficult to place a value to take into account that these items are verifiably unused and complete with all the original packing.
The wrapped Leicina package is another mystery. Sometimes sealed boxes have a rarity value that boosts prices. In the past there have been stories of rare Leicas being sold for silly money simply because the boxes were factory sealed. Opening the box, perhaps to make a sensible check that there is indeed a camera in there and not a brick, can seriously damage your pocket. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some auction purchasers have indeed been sold carefully wrapped bricks. And x-rays of sealed boxes are not unknown.
However, such antics are not likely to take place over a Leicina or two, but the possibility is fascinating nevertheless.
Leica CL sets
Without doubt the most desirable part of the consignment comprises the CL sets. The CL was a successful little camera — too successful, according to some, and this was why it was discontinued because it was harming sales of the more expensive M4 at the time. One of the major problems in buying a used CL is the high probability that the exposure meter system is no longer operating. It is not viable to attempt a repair. However, in the case of these two boxed examples there is every possibility that everything will be in working order.
The bad news is that these items are not for sale, lest you be getting out your wallet as you read. Ivor says they are destined for the Red Dot Cameras museum.
Last week I had the opportunity to ferret around the treasure box but couldn’t lay hands on a naked CL. At the moment Ivor isn’t sure whether or not it is sensible to break the seal; it could be that they will be displayed in their original wrappings as photographed here.
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Wow amazing find, and so random in how it came about.
If Red Dot ever want to have the package X-rayed to prove content, I in theory could arrange for it to be done – but depends on whether it is ever felt necessary. I can be contacted via my flickr account attached if need be. Also I am on Red Dots systems, as they sold me my X 113 just before Xmas, mainly managed by Ash – who was very helpful.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/daveseargeant/
Hi Dave, The wrapped item is a Leicina Super, which is by no means a rare or expensive camera. I don’t suppose there would be that much difference in cost whether it remained wrapped or open-box like its fellow traveller. I’ll definitely bring this to Ivor’s attention, though, and make sure Ash sees it.
Cheers – happy to help, and have access to a decent X-ray conveyor machine.
Hope he played lottery today!
A nice haul indeed. From a collector perspective, selling packaged and unopened items is not that uncommon. Collectors will trust a reliable auction house in this regard. I have seen very expensive items such as the military Leica KE-7A being sold in their original delivery packaging with just an X-ray to reassure potential bidders along with the reputation of the auction house.
From a user perspective the CL is a very nice camera to use and 40mm and 90mm lenses are both very good. My CL has been modified to take modern batteries. Readers may recall my article about using Wein cells in an unmodified Leica M5. You have a choice of modification or Wein cells for Leica metered cameras from that era. I don’t share Stephen’s enthusiasm for the handling of the M5. I find it big and lumpy and unkind to my hands. The nicest handling film M for me is the M2 with button rewind and no self timer. It really is a matter for personal preference.
Even if Ivor does not sell these items, they have arrived in a good home.
William
Good morning Michael…
Another excellent find for Ivor, it wasn’t long ago that you were showing us a beautiful M3 and an "Aspherical" Summicron from Cornwall.
I had been sort of looking at the Leica CL for a little while recently and I note that the price of this little camera, in some pretty poor order is beginning to inch up…
… I couldn’t find one with a lens at a reasonable price and the Minolta CLE (electronic version) is even more exalted, with arguably better lenses, but some rather aged circuitry.
So anyway, I found a Leica M5… Whatever the virtues of the CL, this is the real McCoy, a proper M camera with, rather than aperture priority, it has aperture "if you say so"… Which when in operation with a fast match needle system and the proper cloth M shutter, must be just about the most usable M camera.
I even like the style, it is easier to hold than a standard M, and I reckon that the changes that were made were entirely logical… As we can see with the M10, the really important measurement from a user pov is the thickness of the body, rather than its height or width. The M10 is taller than a standard M, apparently close to the M7 (which is the other "bastard" Leica).
I had sold my M2 and M6, I was going to sell my scanner and Jobo developing system, but suddenly realised I really enjoy messing around with film.
Indeed. One of the great benefits of running a dealership such as Red Dot is the amount of interesting stuff that is offered. I also know one or two internet retailers who specialise in valuing and buying "widows’ troves" of dead husbands’ goodies. It can sometimes provide welcome surprises. One of these days I must try an M5 and see how it handles. I know several readers, including Don Morley as I mentioned, that rate this camera above others.