Cameras/Leitz Leica I question
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Question
Hello David,
I recently inherited my grandfather's Ernst Leitz Leica I serial No. 43515 in black with the Leitz Elmar 1:35 F=50mm uncoated lens. He acquired it from a German officer in WWII. The camera is in very good physical/operating condition with the original brown leather cover, also in very good condition with very minor wear. I have been trying to figure out the value of the camera, primarily for insurance purposes. Any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and All my Best,
Kevin
Hello Kevin,
From that serial number, you have a Leica I(A), a simple 35mm viewfinder camera, made by Leitz of Germany in 1930. It's a relatively common model, with over 58,000 produced from 1925 to 1932, but is historically significant as their first successful 35mm design. Many of these were returned by their owners to the Leitz factory later to have them upgraded to more advanced models, usually to the Leica II or III, but I cannot determine if this is the situation with yours without seeing it for myself. The upgraded cameras retained their original serial numbers, but the factory (and collectors today) classify them as whatever new model they become. You can send a small JPEG image to me at <silver@well.com> if you'd like me to look at it for you. Otherwise, a truly excellent example of an original Leica I(A) would sell in the $400-$450 range.
Best wishes,
David Silver
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David Silver
Expertise
I'm an expert on all types of antique, classic, and contemporary cameras, as well as the general history of photography. Everything from ancient box cameras to modern single-lens-reflex; from simple Kodaks to sophisticated Leica and Nikon; from glass plates and roll film to movie and 35mm. I can identify and appraise them, explain how they work, and offer insights on their restoration and care. I can also provide historical background on vintage cameras and equipment, and guidelines on their purchase and sale.
Experience
I've been a professional photographer and a student of the history of photography for nearly 30 years. During that time my collection of vintage cameras and photographic paraphernalia has grown beyond 2000 significant pieces. I've published nearly 70 articles in the field, including 16 in the popular "Buying Classic Cameras" series for PHOTO SHOPPER MAGAZINE from 1995 to 1997, I'm currently a contributing editor for CAMERA SHOPPER MAGAZINE and McKEOWN'S PRICE GUIDE TO ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC CAMERAS, and I've written numerous entries for WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA. Portions of my collection have been displayed in museums and special exhibits in the past two decades, and many of the items were photographed as illustrations for books. In 1985 I founded the International Photographic Historical Organization (InPHO), which eventually evolved into its intended purpose as the best first resource for information on the history of photography. I'm also a founding member of several e-mail forums dedicated to specialized areas of photography, and I'm the moderator of the Internet Directory of Camera Collectors (IDCC), which remains the largest and most successful such group in the world. For more information about the International Photographic Historical Organization and its many services, please visit its web pages at:
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