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Leica MP 88 Black Paint w/Leicavit MP, 1957
Within the extremely
rare original Leica MP range; probably other than the prototype MP (e.g. LEICA MP Prototype, 1955 and Betriebsk MP w/electric motor (1956) as archived in this site - one of the most
diificult to locate MP bodies are the MP black Paint models. Other than these are
very high price Leica bodies, they were only being produced in very small quantity.
A reference guide provided by Leica Collectors guide by Dennis Laney, the author stated " .. S/N MP-1~MP-12 and
MP151 onwards have chrome finish; while from MP-13~MP150 were produced in Black Paint
finishing. It wa known some Leica M3 had received a full black MP conversion to serve
professional photographers in early '60 but they still carried with basic Leica M3
S/N..". In general, the production ratio between chrome and black paint
MP is approx. 1:2. I ahve not seen a black paint MP body yet in physical form, so
I still have to depend on external source to prepare a visual library. There were
two Leica MP black paint bodies being auctioned by Leicashop®
via Westlicht Auction House so far and the content herein is based largely on the auction lietrature
as appeared.
For those who had never
had the chance of owning an original chrome/black paint model, you can probably settle
such inner desire by considering one of those re-issued Leica MP models with differing
finder magnification. A good example for comparison is a 2003 Leica MP 0.72X Black lacquer as featured in this site.
Credit: Images as well as content of both the original Leica MP black paint
models appeared in this section 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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Background of this well used, Leica MP-88 Black Paint model, 1957
Information supplied by Leicashop™ who was commissioned to conduct the auction sale
of this rare MP blak Paint model: -" ....Thomas Hoepker's - the famous Stern
photographer's - first Leica in original condition with Leicavit-MP. This camera
is bound up with a lot of history and many stories. Thomas Hoepker used his MP regularly
up till 1990. Many great reports were made with this camera including the famous
story about Muhammad Ali. The camera is in perfect technical condition with a lovely
patina. It was recently overhauled by the expert O. Michaely in Wetzlar and has the
amazing serial-number 88! As a special tidbits the camera comes with three of his
famous signed original photographs (fine prints) made with this camera as well as
a letter of confirmation by Hoepker. It is a great opportunity to acquire a special
collector's item with a large history...".
Just as a mtter of record and for future reference: The earlier auction sale of this
MP-88 has an auction start price at EUR 15.000and a hammer price of EUR 21.000* incl.
premium.
* NOTE;- Indicative price(s) herein were based original prices
published on previous auction literature/references. Prices may vary according to
gradual yearly premium, supply/demand equations, and/or other progressive renewed
valuation methods that may vary year to year basis.
Leicashop® has thoughfully provide
a few photos that help you to remind you who is Thomas
Hoepker. One of the memorable shots by the photographer was shown in the auction
literature:-
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LEICA MP-150 Black Paint w/Leicavit MP, 1957
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Below is another Leica MP w/S/N 150,
almost shared by the same owner. Leicashop® had these info furnished for the
auction sale " ... The MP-150 Black Paint here in every way an unusual, exciting
and very rare camera: it is the very last of all black paint MP cameras in fine and
100% original condition, technically perfect. The camera comes with matching black
paint Summicron 2/5cm no.15874xx, first version with black bayonet mount, a matching
black paint Leicavit MP. The camera was the property of Stern photographer and Magnum
vice president Thomas Hoepker who, with this and the MP-88 which is also being offered,
made all of his famous photos from 1958-1966. The outfit comes with 3 signed original
signed photos (fine prints) by Thomas Hoepker as well as a certification by the photographer.
This is a unique opportunity to acquire a special collector's piece with a history
to it.. ".
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This MP-150 Black Paint which can traced from Leica record was the last unit among
the production of the original black paint in 1957. The auction start price for this
kit with a companion 2/5cm Summicron lens was EURO 35,000-00 while the hammer buy-now
price is EURO 52,800-00* incl. premium - this condition B-rated MP Black paint was
ALMOST DOUBLE as compare to the earlier well worn unit.
* 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.
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NOTE:-
T Leica MP showcase may have other Leica MP model in different spec and/or configuration
to show. IF anyone has a personal unit intends to exhibit his prized possession and/or
for equipment specialist who may intend to extend the reach of a possible sale/auction,
just contact my buddy, Mr. Rick <rick_oleson@yahoo.com>. Appropriate
credit and return Link will be provided. Further, I guess a LEICA MP/Leicavit instruction Manual would be nice to be included in this site as shared resources too.
Anyone is good at French ? I managed to download a copy of the original
Leicavit-M Instruction Manual written in French. Looking for those who have nothing
to do at night and can find some time volunteer to translate the few pages back to
English for me). Note:- I can't pay for such services..hehe.
Tips: For those who has user's manual for rare Leica collectibles; in case
you don't have a table top scanner to scan the copy of the instruction manual, Just
use a Digital Compact, shoot the pages in highest resolution in broad daylight should
be good enough for me to do a HTML format conversion.
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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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