Null series Leica #112 once owned by Oskar Barnack
Toronto. A null series Leica serial 112, once assigned to the inventor of the tiny marvel, Oskar Barnack, was sold at auction in Europe for an estimated 11 and a half MILLION dollars Canadian! The camera was sold by Leica Photographica Auction No 46 (lot 8).
The same camera is shown by Denis Laney in his 1992 “Leica Collectors Guide” published by Hove. Most sources quote serial numbers 100-131 as assigned to the ‘null’ series. After number 121, the shutter design was changed according to Laney.
There is no firm confirmation of the number of null series cameras that still exist. The cameras were used to test production processes, and loaned to professional photographers for assessment and suggested changes.
Note: A big thank you to PHSC News editor and 3D guru, Patrick Gunn, for spotting this rare auction item and advising me by email.
