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Leica MP "Hermès Edition", 2003
Description by Leicashop®:- ".... This is a limited version, the most beautiful
MP kit set ever made. Total 500 sets only, and here is the 32x/500! With the elegant
“LEICA MP Edition Hermès” cameras, Leica Camera AG of Solms, Germany is initiating
a series of strictly limited annual editions of its legendary Leica rangefinder cameras
to be issued on special occasions. The “Edition Hermès” is a special edition
of 500 silver-chrome LEICA MP cameras covered with exquisite Barenia calfskin supplied
by the famed Parisian high-fashion house Hermès.
The processing of Barenia leather, which has a very fine, natural grain, gives it
its unmistakable luxurious “feel”. In order to achieve optimal quality, it is tanned
in a time-consuming process that is periodically interspersed with “rest phases”
for the material. The naturally brown leather harmonizes particularly well with the
silver chrome finish of the camera. Along its edges it is discreetly decorated with
a fine seam line that is meticulously applied by hand. In addition to a 35 mm f/2
LEICA SUMMICRON-M ASPH. lens that is also finished in silver chrome, this special
edition includes a camera carrying strap that is handcrafted by Hermès, using
the same exquisite Barenia leather. The lens hood, the camera body cover as well
as the front- and rear covers of the lens are made of solid brass and they too, are
finished in silver chrome. Details such as the silver-chrome finger rest on the lens
and the special serial numbers from 001/500 to 500/500 engraved on the lens and on
the camera round out the differences from regular production models. The cooperation
with Hermès is indicated by a fine embossing on the back of the carrying strap
that reads “Hermès - Made in France”.
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Credit: Image 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.
NOTE: Coincidentally, after the
LEICA/Louis Vuitton joint effort in making the One-unit LEICA M6 Henri Cartier-Bresson special edition for charity
in 1998; in 2000, Hermés had
surprised many market observers by acquired 31.5% stake of Leica Camera A.G. This
Leica MP Hermès Edition was the first JV effort between two established global
labels cum shareholders.
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“In this special edition we are combining the ‘savoir-faire’ of Hermès in
the field of leather craftsmanship with the know-how of Leica in the field of high-end
camera and lens manufacturing”, says Stefan Daniel, manager of the System Cameras
Business Unit at Leica Camera AG. “The special edition emphasizes the fact that the
partnership between Hermès and Leica Camera AG is based on mutual values of
precision craftsmanship, love for detail and longevity.” Hermès and Leica
Camera AG have been joined in partnership since December 2000. Active in 14 lines
of business at the highest level of fine craftsmanship, the Hermès Group has
acquired a 31.5% participation in the legendary camera and optics firm in the German
state of Hesse. The ‘LEICA MP Edition Hermès’ is the first product-based cooperation
of the two companies. The LEICA MP was introduced in the spring of 2003 as a tool
for professional photographers and serious amateurs. The purely mechanical rangefinder
system camera is tailored entirely to precise manual control of the relevant photographic
parameters of exposure time, aperture and plane of sharpness. The photographer is
not subjected to any assistance or distraction caused by automatic features and options.
When the photographer estimates the shutter speed and the aperture him- or herself,
work can be performed completely independently of batteries. Focusing and exposure
metering functions have been further optimized and they take place with the highest
precision. All the functions of the LEICA MP are designed for absolute robustness
and longevity. Like all Leica system cameras, they are assembled by hand in Solms,
a town in the German state of Hesse.
The ‘LEICA MP Edition Hermès’ will be supplied in a fabric-covered case. Light
brown velour pouches for the lens and the camera and a Certificate of Authenticity
complete the outfit...". - Leicashop® -
This LEICA MP 'Edition Hermès' with a very nice serial number , along with
the Leitz Summicron 35mm f/2.0 ASPH., complete in original maker's box. Approx. Year:
2003. This special edition, revised Leica MP has a hammer price approaching EURO
5,000-00*.
* NOTE;-
Indicative prices 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.
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Another set of of LEICA MP EDITIONI HERMES kit set with SUMMICRON-M 35MM
F2 ASPH lens w/ S/N 499/500
Description offered by DigifanCN®, content
with different write-up but shares same in some areas
with earlier Leicashop´® mechanized Leica
MP "Hermès Edition"
2003
probably both were extracted from Official Press Release and rephrased on their own
perspective.
Very readable good content.
" ...It is a limited version, the most beautiful
MP kit set ever made. Total 500 sets only, and here is the #499!
Hermès and Leica Camera AG have been joined in partnership since December
2000. Active in 14 lines of business at the highest level of fine craftsmanship,
the Hermès Group has acquired a 31.5% participation in the legendary camera
and optics firm in the German state of Hesse. The ‘LEICA MP Edition Hermès’
is the first product-based cooperation of the two companies.
With the elegant “LEICA MP Edition Hermès”
cameras, Leica Camera AG of Solms, Germany is initiating a series of strictly limited
annual editions of its legendary Leica rangefinder cameras to be issued on special
occasions. The “Edition Hermès” is a special edition of 500 silver-chrome
LEICA MP cameras covered with exquisite Barenia calfskin supplied by the famed Parisian
high-fashion house Hermès.
The processing of Barenia leather, which has a very fine, natural grain, gives it
its unmistakable luxurious “feel”. In order to achieve optimal quality, it is tanned
in a time-consuming process that is periodically interspersed with “rest phases”
for the material. The naturally brown leather harmonizes particularly well with the
silver chrome finish of the camera. Along its edges it is discreetly decorated with
a fine seam line that is meticulously applied by hand.
 |
In addition to a 35 mm f/2 LEICA SUMMICRON-M ASPH.
lens that is also finished in silver chrome, this special edition includes a camera
carrying strap that is handcrafted by Hermès, using the same exquisite Barenia
leather. The lens hood, the camera body cover as well as the front- and rear covers
of the lens are made of solid brass and they too, are finished in silver chrome.
Details such as the silver-chrome finger rest on the lens and the special serial
numbers from 001/500 to 500/500 engraved on the lens and on the camera round out
the differences from regular production models. The cooperation with Hermès
is indicated by a fine embossing on the back of the carrying strap that reads “Hermès
— Made in France”.
Credit: Image(s) courtesy of some
nice folks from DigifanCN®. The group
also operates their own active, popular EBAY STORE, trading for many major camera brands and collectibles. Image Copyright ©
2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing
photographer.
|
“In this special edition we are combining the ‘savoir-faire’ of Hermès in
the field of leather craftsmanship with the know-how of Leica in the field of high-end
camera and lens manufacturing”, says Stefan Daniel, manager of the System Cameras
Business Unit at Leica Camera AG. “The special edition emphasizes the fact that the
partnership between Hermès and Leica Camera AG is based on mutual values of
precision craftsmanship, love for detail and longevity.”
The LEICA MP was introduced in the spring of 2003
as a tool for professional photographers and serious amateurs. The purely mechanical
rangefinder system camera is tailored entirely to precise manual control of the relevant
photographic parameters of exposure time, aperture and plane of sharpness. The photographer
is not subjected to any assistance or distraction caused by automatic features and
options. When the photographer estimates the shutter speed and the aperture him-
or herself, work can be performed completely independently of batteries. Focusing
and exposure metering functions have been further optimized and they take place with
the highest precision. All the functions of the LEICA MP are designed for absolute
robustness and longevity. Like all Leica system cameras, they are assembled by hand
in Solms, a town in the German state of Hesse.
The ‘LEICA MP Edition Hermès’ will be supplied in a fabric-covered case. Light
brown velour pouches for the lens and the camera and a Certificate of Authenticity
complete the outfit. ..."
Credit: Image(s)
courtesy of some nice folks from DigifanCN®.
The group also operates
their own active, popular EBAY STORE,
trading for many major
camera brands and collectibles. Image Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved.
Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.
|
Below are Series of larger images
prepared by Duncan Meeder
from LEICAplace®
Credit: Image(s) courtesy of Mr. Duncan Meeder
from LEICAplace@Ebay, Holland who also operates a popular
www.fotohennyhoogeveen.nl® Image
Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of
the contributing photographer.
NOTE:
I will be creating a LEICA MP site as introduction and this site will be renamed
as Index3x.htm later.
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 MP 367 & 368 Dual, 1957 | Leica M3E1 / MP 271/288 Alfred
Eisenstaedt | 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>;
| Message Board | lenses | Message Board | RF cameras
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Leica-M Series Rangefinder camera Models
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