A secret Leica camera model, produced to mark the 100th anniversary of the company, will be unveiled just one day before it is auctioned at Westlicht Photographica Auctions' May 23 sale in Vienna.
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The auction celebrates the company, offering 100 lots that chart the history of one of the world's most popular and prestigious camera brands, with a further 100 photographs demonstrating what the cameras are capable of.
Starting at $30,400, the mystery camera is one of several special editions created to celebrate the centenary of Leica, with the auction house stating:
"Many of the Leica special editions, elaborately hand-crafted to commemorate special occasions, are rarities featuring special engravings and materials; they are of particular interest to collectors.
"At the same time, they are unique tools for the daily work of professional photographers and serious amateurs."
Leica cameras are revered by those in the profession for their technical ability combined with luxury styling, and have become synonymous with photojournalism.
The world auction record for a Leica was set by the M3D model owned by LIFE magazine photographer David Douglas, which made $2m at Westlicht in November 2012.
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