06/08/2017, Over 200 photographs and photo books, including numerous icons and valuable examples from the early days of the medium, will fall under the hammer on June 9, at the 16th WestLicht photo auction.
Among the highlights for this year’s photo auction are various images by Magnum photographers, including 12 prints from the The Great Leap Forward series by Magnum co-founder Henri Cartier-Bresson (Lot 93, estimated price 30,000–35,000 euros), Bill Brandt’s London (Nude with Bent Elbow) from 1952 (Lot 49, estimated price: 10,000–12,000 euros) and Horst P. Horst’s Mainbocher Corset (Lot 37, estimated price: 30,000–35,000 euros).
31st Camera Auction
Once again, rare Leica cameras are a central feature of the 31st Camera Auction. On offer, for example, is a Leica MP with the series number MP-292 from 1958 (Lot 78, estimated price: 35,000–40,000 euros). Another rare piece is the Leica M1 “Grey”, which is encased in grey leather (Lot 85, estimated price: 15,000–18,000 euros). Among the M lenses on offer, the highlight of this year’s auction is one of two existing prototypes of the Elcan 2/1 3/8 inch (35 mm) from 1960. For this mint-condition lens with Lot number 138, the estimated price is 40,000–50,000 euros.
With regard to products from other manufacturers up for auction, it’s worth mentioning a very rare Nikon S3-M black with an S72 Motor Drive black, that, like the Leica 72, was built for 72 portrait format (18x24mm) shots (Lot 317, estimated price 80,000–100,000 euros).
The full catalogue for the coming auction can be found at:
WestLicht
Leica MP chrome
Year: 1958, No. MP-292
Starting price: EUR 18,000
Leica M3 black paint
Year: 1959, No. 959440
Starting price: EUR 18,000
Elcan 2/1 3/8 Inch (35mm) Prototype
Year: c. 1960, No. 1745233
Starting price: EUR 20,000
HENRI CARTIER-BRESSON (1908–2004)
A set of 12 images from ‘The Great Leap Forward’, China 1958
Starting price: EUR 15,000
BILL BRANDT (1904–1983)
‘London (Nude with Bent Elbow)’, 1952
Starting price: EUR 5,000