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The top plate of this LEICA M6 Sultan of Brunei Silver
Jubilee Edition has two royal emblems engraved. One is the royal Official crest while
the other the was written in Jawi and arranged in a pattern.
The serial numbering has two codes, one is Leica production serial, and the other,
marked "HB-1x" is the specific unit produced. The "HB" probably
signifies "His Majesty Brunei".
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| Credit:
Image(s) courtesy of MATSUMOTO camera Japan ®.
The group also operates their own active, popular Online Website, trading for many major camera brands
and collectibles Leica & other major labels. Image Copyright © 2008. All
rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer. |
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This early and rarely seen camera was
surfaced in an auction trading conducted by a Japanese trader (Matsomoto -
refer to the supplied Link at the credit section above) who specializes in collectible
Leica and has a price tag of JPY 2 Million (approx. USD19,000-00, as the current
financial market is very unstable, exchange rates keep changing, please use the Currency
Converter to find out the current rate). Fortunately, the sale has included an
original Letter of Authentication which states the total quantity of 350 units is
available for this edition; if not, I won't be able to provide the data of the exact
number of issued quantity. (CLICK)
NOTE:
As of 01.10.2008 - This collectible LEICA M6 is still available
at Matsomoto !
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Strictly speaking, unless you are very
familiar with what you are collecting, always seek advice from experienced collectors.
A good way is to source as much information as possible from reading references and/or
Internet. One thing that I have learned over the years is that most camera with special
purpose and meaningful issuance objective often are well planned and it is highly
unlikely that a special edition camera with potentially collectible value will not
be accompanied with matching accessories, whether in the form of display presentable
box, lens, motor winder, body cap or hood etc. In most cases, special edition camera
kit will always come with proper documentation as well as purpose or objective of
the release. In this case, the showcased unit here has most of the essential elements
supplied. I am sharing these because I have learned from a mistake from my purchase
of a Colombo '92 from a reputable camera dealer in US where
the camera body was supplied with a full metal body cap with special engraving BUT
without the lens ! Partly that was my fault for not finding more info prior to acquisition
but what I had experienced should always be shared with potentially new collectors. |
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Just imagine such a wonderful piece of
art without this equally sparkling all 24 carat gold plated SUMMILUX-M 1:1.4/50mm
on the M6 Gold Edition... The lens was not just a gold plated optic. At the front
of the lens data ring, it has additional engraving "SAMBUTAN JUBILEE PERAK"
(Commemorating / welcome to the Silver Jubilee (year) with "3 OKT. 92"
(3rd October, 1992) that follows. Why 2/10 92 ? It was at the Silver Jubilee year
that His Majesty took delivery of the Mushaf
Brunei Darussalam*.
Credit: Image(s) courtesy of MATSUMOTO camera
Japan ®. The group also operates their own active,
popular Online Website, trading for many major camera brands and collectibles Leica
& other major labels. Image Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please
respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.
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* I
am not a Muslim but roughly I can explain "Mushaf" as alternate form of
reading reference to the teaching of Prophet MUHAMMAD to
the Islamic Holiest Reading reference, Qu'ran.
The Mushaf Brunei Darussalam here can be interpreted as Official Qu'ran for
State of Brunei. According to what I can find out, the IMRAN (head of Brunei National
Mosque) had specifically ordered hand made 6001 copies of Mushaf from Mesir (Egypt);
the first book is the Official Mushaf which is handed to His Majesty, The Sultan,
1,000 books for Ministries and Officials and remaining 5,000 copies to be distributed
for free to the citizen of Brunei. The hand over of the Official Mushaf was on the
3rd of October, 1992. It was quoted as "sempena Sambutan Jubli Perak
Baginda Menaiki Takhta" (congratulating and commemorating the Silver jubilee
year of His Majesty.. something like that, these are royal literature languages <<<---
Credit: Image courtesy of
my fellow countryman. Kenny Goh®
.His personal portfolio is available
at www.kenjiimages.net. Image copyright © 2005.
All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.
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| Credit: Image(s)
courtesy of MATSUMOTO camera Japan ®. The group also operates their own active,
popular Online Website, trading for many major camera brands and collectibles Leica &
other major labels. Image Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect
the visual property of the contributing photographer. |
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| LEICA M6 Sultan
of Negeri Brunei Darussalam Silver Jubilee 24ct Gold / Diamond Edition, 1996 |
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| Just when thought, hey... I had already
seen it all. NO, brother. The same Leica M6 Sultan's birthday Gold edition featured
here also has a Diamond-equipped variant, according the general info the Diamond
equipped Gold edition (possibly the most important guests were given either the M6
Platinum or the M6 platinum with diamond model) are supposedly meant for "Distinctive Guests" who were being
invited for the 50th Birthday of the Sultan. The L&H auction introduced the set
as " PRICE: HK$ 800,000 - 1,200,000 M6 Gold-plated with Diamond
for 50th Birthday of the Sultan of Brunei. In 1996, in order to commemorate the 50th
birthday of His Majesty Sultan of Brunei on 15th Jul 1996, Brunei ordered the special
limited edition from Leica in 1996. It was a special gift to prestige guests of honore,
and never release to market for sale. The special number of this set is HB-039, with
one fine cut diamond and the royal emblem engraving at the top plate. ”15th July
1996” and ”In Commemoration of The 50th Birthday of His Majesty Sultan” are engraved
at the back. The camera covered in red lizard leather and plated in 24 carat gold.
The set comes with Summilux-M 1.4/35mm ASPH lens in 24 carat gold, with ”HB039-125“
imprinted at the front lens deterring; also with gold lens front cap with the royal
emblem, extremely rare! The camera comes with body cap, strap, lens cloth, lens rear
cap, wooden box, certificate of diamond and all packing. ..". Based on the accompanied
certification by Europen Geomological Laboratory, the natural diamond used weighs
0.5 carat w/round briliannt cut spec. |
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In 1996, in commemoration of the 50th
birthday of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam on 15th
July, 1996, a LEICA M6 Platinum Special Edition was released. I am quite convinced
His Majesty must also be a keen photographer too ...WHY ?
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| Just go to this site (LEICA Gallery by KB camera®)
OR Digifan China
site. It has shown with two 24-carat ALL GOLD-plated PROTOTYPE SUMMICRON-M 1:2/50mm ASPH & SUMMILUX-M
1:1.4/35mm ASPH for SALE at an astonishing price tage for two lenses @ USD49,995-00
! If one doesn't have any interest in photography and did an order for a no-budget
kind of personalized lens system for his camera, in all basic logical explanation
- it couldn't be, isn't it ? It was not known did the lenses made the way to the
Palace but all we know is, the 1992's LEICA M6 Gold plated Edition is not entirely
a one-lens camera edition now. |
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Both the sites share similar explantion of these few
all gold ASPH lenses:
" ...This is about as RARE as it gets for Leica Lenses. These two lenses are
Prototypes made for the Sultan of Brunei when he requested that Leica make him 125
sets of 24 carat Gold 35mm F1.4 Summilux Asph. and 50mm F2 Summicron M. These were
acquired from the former Leica xxxxx in Germany. The 35mm F1.4 Asph Summilux is SN#3751000
and also Special SN# HB 000-125. The 50mm F2 Summicron is SN#3884300 with no other
markings. The HB are the initials of the Sultan of Brunei. These prototype lenses
were the originals made for the President of Leica Germany to present to the Sultan
of Brunei. The Sultan later ordered the #125 sets. The Sultan did NOT offer these
for sale, they were special gifts to the distinguished guests of the palace, and
upon there last night of stay the Two Gold lenses (of the #125 sets the Sultan ordered)
were placed upon the nightstand of the guests bed as "gifts from the Sultan".
You must have been someone special to get to be a guest of the Sultan, but even more
so to receive these lenses. The lenses are 24 Gold plated unlike any other Leica
gold lens. The lens is completely covered in Gold, including the lens mount and focus
ring! Not to mention the screws that hold the mount are also 24 Carat Gold plated!!Å@The
Sultan requested that the lenses must be entirely 24 Carat Gold as much as possible.Å@Previous
Gold lenses had rubber focus rings etc..Å@The Gold must be pretty thick knowing
these are wear points on a lens. Both lenses are in Perfect condition with no flaws
of any kind, absolutely NEW. The 50mm has a built in retractable Gold lens hood.
The 35mm has a detachable black plastic lens hood. Front and Rear caps are included
with both lenses..."
Original introduction for these lenses written by by KB camera <http://www.leicagallery.com/goldlensessb.htm>.
NOTE: I have deleted the name & job title/designation of the person involved,
not very appropriate to publish these in an open media.
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| Anyway, in between the releases, we have also witnessed
two LEICA M6 special edition which also have a touch of Royal flavor. 700 Units of
24 carat Gold Plated LEICA M6 w/ a matching 24 carat Gold plated SUMMICRON-M 1:2/50mm
release in commemoration of the 50th Golden Jubilee Year Celebration in 1996 in relating to Reign of His Majesty King Bhumiphol Adulyadej
of Thailand. Another was a Leica M6 special edition in commemorating Denmark's Prince
Joachim marriage to Miss Alexandra Manley which was issued on the marriage date:18th
of November 1995. It was dubbed as LEICA M6 Royal Wedding Edition. Update: The couple has announced separation in 2004. |
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For those of you who may thought the
LEICA M6 Gold Sultan of Brunei Silver Jubilee Edition was only confined to this particular
model, WRONG! The Silver Jubilee Edition has at least TWO models:
One in 24-carat Gold-plated and another in PLATINUM -plated finishing Recently I
managed to locate one of these rare units with no info in relation to its exact quantity
of issue via Peter Coeln's LEICASHOP.com conducted Westlicht Auction Sale. Because
the all the engraving were in Malay language and probably the auction has mistakenly
refer it as one of the M6 Platinum 50th Birthday Edition.
This one's basic configuration is identical to the Gold-plated model, except that
it was made in all Platinum-plated finishing on the camera body as well as the SUMMILUX-M
1.4/50mm and a grayish leatherwork. The lens has the same Malay engraving of SAMBUTAN
JUBLI PERAK 5 OCT. 92 imprinted at the front lens data ring.
Similarly, the top plate of this rarely seen Leica M6 Platinum rangefinder model
for Sultan of Brunei Silver Jubilee Year, 1992 with the matching Platinum-plated
SUMMILUX-M 1.1.4/50mm has the similar special engraving of a red Royal Crest, a emblem
with Jawi language make-up pattern as well as S/N with starting code of HB-xxx. The
Serial Numbering uses the same coding overlapped with the Gold-plated edition and
only can be separated via body and leatherwork finishing. I am handicapped here,
as there is no other info in relation to actual quantify for the Platinum finish
release.
Credit: Image(s) courtesy of Mr. Peter Coeln
from LEICA Shop®, Austria who also operates a popular
Westlicht Auction House®.
Image(s) Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property
of the contributing photographer.
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previous | Next | 2/2
LEICA M6 Platinum
Sultan of Brunei 50th Birthday Edition Model
Part 1 | Part 2 |
Other related LEICA
M6 camera models issued in the same Platinum Finishing:-
Leica
M6 Platinum Dummy Set,
1989 | Leica M6 PLATINUM '150/75 Jahre', 1989
Leica M6 Platinum Sultan
of Brunei Silver Jubilee Edition, 1992
| Leica M6 Sultan of Brunei Special 50th Birthday Edition, Platinum
w/diamond, 1995
Leica
M6 "Anton Bruckner" (1824~1996) Platinum Edition, 1996 |
Leica M6 Schmidt Platinum Centenary (100 Years), 1996
Leica M6 Platinum Henri Cartier Bresson / Louis Vuitton One unit
Special Edition, 1998
Leica
M6 Platinum "150 jahre Optik" Wetzlar Optisches Institute Edition, 1999
Relative: Leica M6 HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand Golden Jubilee
Edition | Other Gold cameras (SLRs)
outfit
Leica
M3 Gold, 1957 |
Leica M4-2 Gold | Nikon F Gold outfit | Canon F1 GOLD
| Nikon F2 GOLD
| Nikon FM GOLD
| Nikon
FA Limited Edition
GOLD
Pentax LX Limited Edition GOLD | Olympus OM2N Limited Edition GOLD
| for others please refer
to the Main Index Page
Main Index Page
- Leica M6-series models / Main Index Page - Leica-M Rangefinder
camera Models
Nomenclature / Main Reference Map for Leica M6 Standard Model(s) applicable to this M6 Gold Edition | Others:-
Leica
M6 TTL Model(s)
Instruction Manuals:- Leica M6 Classic in PDF (3.8mb) applicable to this Gold Edition by Niels H. S. Nielsen; Others:- Leica M6 TTL 3.6 Mb PDF) by Joe Chan
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