Leica 0-series №105 “Oskar Barnack”

Only approximately 23 of 0-Series Leicas were produced in 1923 to test the market, two years before the commercial introduction of the Leica A. Only a few survived to the present day. Among these extremely rare cameras, one is of particular historical importance. The 0-Series with the serial number 105 was the personal camera of the the inventor of the Leica - Oskar Barnack.

This inconspicuous-looking black-painted camera shows a patina of years of use. Some of the parts have been exchanged by the owner. The Galilean finder shows a distinctive engraving on the top: “Oskar Barnack”. The inventor used the camera until 1930, when he gave it to his son, Conrad, and began using a Leica I Model C with interchangeable lenses. It stayed in the family ownership until 1960, when it was sold to a passionate U.S. collector.

Leica 0-series №105 “Oskar Barnack” was auctioned and sold for €14.4m at the 40th anniversary Leitz Photographica Auction №40 on 11 June 2022 at the Leitz Park in Wetzlar, Germany.

Smashing the previous record for the most expensive camera in the world – Leica 0-series №105 sold for a hammer price of €14.4m including buyer’s premium – more than four times the expected sale price of €3m.

The previous record for the most expensive camera in the world was Leica 0-series №122 that sold at the 32nd WestLicht Camera Auction on 10 March 2018 for 2.4 million Euro (2 million hammer price plus premium)!

Photo credit: © Leitz Photographica Auction