Everard and Company's October 3 online auction of photographic equipment from the Estate of Arthur Keir and other owners brought over $700,000.
The final result was considerably higher than the auctioneer's pre-sale estimate of $300,000-500,000.
The Keir collection was 100% sold and overall the auction had a selling rate of 93%. The sale saw very competitive bidding from across the United States, Europe, Asia and Australasia.
Rarity was the driving force of the day. The rare Leica MD Gray Hammertone Camera with Visoflex III, of which only 10 were produced, soared past its pre-sale estimate of $20,000-30,000 and sold for an impressive $187,200.
 The one-of-10 Leica MD Gray Hammertone Camera with Visoflex III |
Similarly, the one of a kind '9/11' Memorial Camera sold well above its pre-sale estimate of $40,000-60,000 for $111,000.
Other top lots included:
* Leica M3 Black Paint with 50mm f/2 Summicron sold for $34,440
* Rare Leica War Time Stereo Elmar 3.5cm f/3.5 Chrome with Special VIDOM sold for $27,600
* Rare Leica 72 18x24 Chrome with 5cm f/3.5 Elmar sold for $15,000
* Rare WWII Leica VIDOM Viewfinder with Reichsadler and Kriegsmarine Engravings sold for $7,740.
All prices include buyer's premium.
Collectible rare cameras have been getting snapped-up for record prices in 2011, including earlier this year at Vienna auction house WestLicht. Its sale included what is now the most expensive camera ever sold worldwide.
The extremely rare Leica of the 0-series from 1923 had a pre-sale estimate of €200,000. Bidding on the camera lasted a whole 20 minutes before the shutter finally closed at an incredible €1.32m including premium.
The Leica 0-series sold to a private collector from Asia - another in a line of World Record priced sales which have been influenced by Asia's collectors.
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Images: Everard and Company
