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Leica MP Prototype, 1955
Prototype cameras and/or lenses essentially
are models that were produced by a specific camera manufacturer that had first determined
with the desire specification and produced for test and pre evaluation purposes.
It can still be subjected to further refinements in its features, mechanism or even
judgement of by management as well as internal marketing division to evaluate if
such a product was a commercially viable model for future mass production. Most of
these bodies were strictly used within internal circulation or in some rare cases,
given to appointtee photographers to conduct field test on behalf and gather useful
input for further improvement. Once a model was deemed to be successful in the eventual
market place, prototype bodies seeminly like a dream collectibles to collectors.
The Leica MP can easily being regarded as one of the most desirable camera type in
the collectible market in modern times, Due to its extremel rarity and the name behind
one of the most respectiable icon in the imaging industry, research and studies conducted
by keen collectos with the aid of historical records and manuals, it is possible
to track and trace a rare production batch such as rhe Leica MP. Prototypes MP in
particular, with its absolute rare number being produced from available records,
was also one of the most desirable Leica camera model for collectors. In a rare instance,
one of the most respectable Leica collectible auctioneer, Leicashop associated Westlicht
Auction House had conducted a few very rare pieces of Leica MP models. One of which
is a protyotype Leica MP as featured here.
The supplied auction literature stated
this: " ....The original MP of 1956 has a special position among all collectible
Leica M cameras. Basically an M3 with the following differences: No self-timer, simple
non-automatic reset framecounter, coupling for the Leicavit-MP. Cameras used internally
at Leitz Wetzlar were engraved 1052*, 1053* and 1083*. These cameras were produced
in 1955 as fully functional prototypes of the Leica MP. The camera 1083* is in chrome
finish and some of the features are different from serial production MP model, note
lack of 'MP' engraving on M-Leicavit for example. According to Leitz records, the
camera was given to Willi Stein, the builder of the M3 and MP on October 31st 1955.
It can be assumed, that this is Stein's personal test camera. Only two more of this
MP prototype were produced with the numbers 1052* und 1053*. This camera comes with
the original Leicavit prototype (without MP engraving) and a 5cm Summicron lens.
It is illustrated in Jmes L. Lager 's An illustrated History of Leica camera Vol 1, page 183. The camera is in almost as-new, original condition
and is a milestone in Leitz camera construction. - The MP und MP Classic series lately
produced by Leica are the successors of this prototype! ... ".
This exclusive, extremely rare Leica MP Prototype has a Hammer Price as stated EURO
90.600-00* incl. premium a few years ago in an earlier auction.
It ranks as one of the highest among many auctions conducted by reputatble auction
houses on Leica. NOTE:- You can also check another equally rare Leica MP Betriebsk w/Electric
Motor Unit which also commands almost
similar extraordinary high quotation in any recorded opened auction.
* NOTE;- Indicative price here in this site were based original prices
published on previous auction literature/references. Prices may vary according to
gradual yearly premium, supply/demand equations, and/or other renewed valuation methods.
Credit: Images for Leica MP 367 & 368 courtesy of Mr. Peter Coeln
from LEICA Shop®, Austria who also operates a popular
Westlicht Auction House. Image Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect
the visual property of the contributing photographer.
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A recently surfaced (re-issued version)
LEICA MP prototype with Prototype Leicavit-M
as shown at Photographic Auction, Germany
" ...a very very rare prototype MP - 6 - only 10 pieces made - with prototype
Leicavit M Nr. 000 31
Ausruf Startingprice: 7000 ¤ | Estimate: 9000 -11000 ¤ | Price 8500
¤...*".
Credit: Image(s) courtesy of Photographic Auction,
Germany ®,
who often conducts popular Online Photograohic Auctions. Image Copyright © 2008. All rights
reserved.
Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.
* NOTE;- Indicative price here in this site were based original
prices published on previous auction literature/references.
Prices may vary according to gradual yearly premium, supply/demand equations, and/or
other renewed valuation methods.
If you miss the link provided earlier, I would suggest
you to take a look at the equally
rare Leica
MP Betriebsk w/ an unusual Leica designed Electric Motor, 1955
LEICA MP-Specific
models/variants - Visual Profiles on selective Leica bodies:- Leica MP Prototype, 1955 | MP
Betriebsk w/Electric Motor, 1956 |
Leica MP-88/MP-150 Black paint, 1957 | Leica MP-167;
Leica MP-171/MP-313/old/new
Leicavit visual, 1957 | Leica
M3E1 / MP 271/288 Alfred Eisenstaedt |
Leica MP 367 &
368 Dual, 1957 | Leica MP-375, MP-368 &
MP-386 | Leica
MP 'Edition Hermès', 2003
| Leica MP Betriebsk 0.72x | Evential production model MP 0.72x Black paint, 2002
| Leica MP classic
Kit Set 1 / Set 2 | Leica MP chrome
0.58X(2 parts) | Leica
MP
Black Lacquer 0.58x
| Leica MP
Black Lacquer 0.72x
Standard | Leica MP 0.85x
Finder Mag. model | Leica MP Anthracite* Limited Edition Set |
Leica MP
LHSA 1968~2003 Special Edition Grey Hammertone
Finish (3 parts) | Brief
Introduction on Leica
à la carte:-
Leica MP Red Leather 0.85 / Nappa racing Green Leather 0.58X | Others:- Visual
case study on counterfeit LEICA MP ; Leica MP Prototype w/Prototype Leicavit-M; Leica MP-3
LHSA; Leica MP TITAN, 2007
| Leica MP Nomenclature | Leica MP Instruction manual (1MB PDF) |
Technical Specification (96k PDF)
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Recommended resources
/ Reviews on Leica MP Models (External
Links): Popular Photography (4 parts) | Shutterbug (2 parts) | Stephan gandy/Cameraquest
on MP | Photonet;
Others:-How to load M6/MP w/Rapidwinder-M(Video); Comparing M3 with MP (Leica FAQ); Price indications: Westlicht
Auction House; Ebay Search on Leica MP
Visual Library on Leica M3 Prototype, 1952; Leica M3 Test model, 1953/4 | A photo showcase on early series
of Leica M3 DS bodies:- Leica M3-700131
/ M3-700170 / M3-700000/M3-70031x/M3-70051x | M3 double
stroke chrome 1954~1957 bodies:- Part 1/Part 2/Part 3/Part 4; Leica
M3 Single Stroke 1957~60/1961~66
| Leica M3 Black Paint:-1955/1958/1962~1964/66
/ Case
study on Prices | Leica M3 ELC, 1955/56
Other Leica M3 Variants:- Leica M3 chrome Leica-Technik 57
1954; Leica M3
GOLD Edition, 1956 | Leica M3 DS United Nation Edition, 1957 | Leica M3 Olive Bundeseigentum outfit 1957/ Olive Green Bundeseigentum outfit, 1959 (2 Parts) w/info on high quality M3 Olive Conversion | Leica M3 Betriebskamera/ Betriebsk 1960
| Leica M3 Royal
Dutch Marine Periscope Model,
1966 | Leica M3
Dummies / Riesen-Mode (Giant scale Model); Leica M3 Cutaway Display Unit , 1954
Recommended External Link:
Leica FAQ
| Leica M3 Instruction Manual 1) Location 1 (1.35mb PDF) by Joe Chan; Location 2 (1.2mb PDF) by M.Butkus < Mike@bukus.org>;
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