This Spring, I am thrilled to say that we have had so many interesting collectibles at Tamarkin Auctions that we had to hold a second rare camera auction. Despite the prevalence of digital photography, film photography seems to be more popular than ever.
While we are living in a time of a great transfer of wealth, many collectors come to us and say “I would love to transfer my collection of old film cameras to my children as my first choice, but they don’t seem all that interested. I still need to declutter my life so it’s time to sell my cameras on to people who will appreciate them.”
This means that the rarities and collections of yesteryear need to find new, loving homes. Hence, our recently completed Spring Rare Camera Auction. And of the nearly 300 lots, I have chosen for you a few of my favourite items (as a rabid camera collector myself), in no particular order.
Lot 253. LeCoultre Compass II camera.
Built in the 1930s on a bet apparently to produce a full-featured camera that could fit in a pack of cigarettes, this is one of the most exquisite designs I have seen. Made collaboratively by Compass Camera Ltd And the Swiss watchmaker LeCoultre (later, Jaeger-LeCoultre), this tiny single-shot 35mm camera has it all — built in revolving filters, spirit level, ground glass viewfinder and rangefinder, and even an exposure meter. It’s a very fascinating collectible.
A marvel of engineering, the camera was designed by Noel Pemberton Billing (1881-1948), who later became a member of the British Parliament. Only about 4,000 appear to have been made, and they are hard to come by and very desirable to collectors of all sorts of cameras. This one sold for $6,750 before the Buyer’s Premium.
Lot 105. The Zeiss Contaflex
This fascinating 35mm camera is an interesting collectible and actually a twin lens reflex camera that’s beautifully designed. Introduced in 1935, the camera features interchangeable taking lenses and a vertical metal shutter curtain, and even a built-in selenium exposure meter, making it the world’s first 35mm camera with an integrated exposure meter!
Framelines for 85 and 135mm appear on the ground glass focus screen, which also sports a magnifier. A hulk of a camera, the Contaflex was quite advanced for its time, and remains a very intriguing 35mm camera, and a great deal for any collector at $900 before the Buyer’s Premium.
Lots 214 & 216: Two historic wartime Leica cameras
Lot 214 is a Leica IIIc War Time Police Camera. This Leica IIIc camera with 50mm Summitar f/2 lens was used by the “Chef der Sicherheitspolizei” which could mean Chief of Security Police or simply the office/department. It was delivered on 27 October 1942, in a batch of 25 cameras. It sold for $2,700 before the Buyer’s Premium.
Lot 216 is another camera set with strong provenance: the Leica IIIc of Major Louis Axelrod. This German military camera found its way into the hands of one Major Louis Axelrod of the U.S. Army.
Originally delivered to Berlin on September 15, 1942, this Leica IIIc camera was converted by Axelrod from wartime grey lacquer to silver chrome at the Leitz factory after the war. He took re-delivery of the camera and Summitar lens on 11 February 1946.
Upon returning to the US, Axelrod bought an ever-ready case for the camera set, which was marked “E. Leitz New York.” It is quite uncommon even among interesting collectibles to find relatively ordinary cameras with extraordinary provenance. Sadly, this interesting camera with provenance did not sell.
Lot 275. Leica IIIf Red Dial, Self-Timer made in Midland, Ontario.
Engraved “Midland Ontario” on the top plate, this camera also bears a non-factory engraving on the rear of the top plate reading “Ejército Ecuatoriano DO” which translates to “Ecuadorian Armed Forces.” The “DO” designation likely refers to an Operational Detachment, but none are recorded as far as we can tell.
The history of the Ejército Ecuatoriano can be traced back to the 16th century, and the institution is still active today, using the slogan, “Without sacrifice, there is no victory”. A fascinating set with both historic and topical significance. Oddities such as these fascinate me.
A Midland, Ontario Leica IIIf is rare enough, but becomes an exciting collectible with such remarkable provenance. This is a very compelling camera, and exceedingly rare. Valuable? Perhaps not, certainly when compared to the relatively common black painted Leica M2 or Leica M3, which sell for more than $20,000. It is surprising that this camera did not sell, but many collectors may not have interest in so specific a piece of history. Nonetheless, cameras like this are why I love auctions so much — you never know what will pop up.
Lot 289. The 1971 Leica M4 Black Paint Set.
This is really uncommon! A Leica M4 in black paint finish with 35mm Summicron f2 Wetzlar “Tab Aperture” and Leica MR-4 Meter. It is in the original soft leather ever-ready case, all made the year prior and presumably kept in stock ready for sale at the factory in Wetzlar, Germany.
There is an array of sales and customer service receipts and travel documents specific to this camera set. It includes a guarantee booklet dated June 1971, when this set was collected at the Leitz factory in Wetzlar by a couple from Washington State, while on holiday.
The Leica M4 camera bears its factory “L” seal (meaning that the camera has never been opened or serviced) and is in working order. If I were a Leica M4 camera collector, this is the one I would have been waiting for…so I was very surprised that this camera did not sell.
More collectibles to come
We’re thrilled to be able to offer so many rare items at this auction, and the consignments keep coming in. As people look back at the history of 35mm photography, we hope that these historic Leica cameras and other vintage photographica will find interested new, young collectors. Especially since the prices for screw-mount cameras, lenses, and most accessories have decreased so drastically in the last decade.
While the popularity of film photography continues to increase, there has been little interest in collecting from younger photographers. Perhaps, after seeing what can be acquired at affordable prices, some young bucks and does will join the collecting herd, and enjoy discovering rarities such as the ones at this auction.
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