Offered to you is this
extremely rare and significant Leica collection of 7 “prototype” Leica
cameras (and 1 lens) (!!) of one of the most iconic Leica photographers
of all time Ralph Gibson. Ralph Gibson has long been considered one
of the most significant still life photographers of his generation. His clear
and precise imagery is quite unique. Last year, the photographer (born in 1939)
was inducted into the Leica Hall of Fame. As an experienced Leica
photographer, Gibson was one of the first to be given the opportunity to try
out the new Leica Monochrom (M9) which was given to him at the time by Leica
Store Lisse and is also offered in this auction itself (with a signed lens
even). This collaboration between Gibson and Leica Store Lisse eventually
resulted in the famous “MONO” book (with many exhibitions all over the
world) as it also resulted in producing a limited edition of the silver Leica
Monochrom with a silver 35mm/1.4 ASPH. lens (edition of only 35 pieces and of
which the edition itself as for the prototype camera is included in this
auction).
He has been working with
different Leica cameras for over six decades, experimenting with new models
over the years, and ultimately moving with Leica from analogue to digital (black
and white) technology. We acquired all of these cameras and all of them are
offered in this exceptional collection. Cameras will of course not be available
for sale separately , it’s “only” the whole collection which is up for sale.
There are no other photographers out there with this large amount of officially
made Leica cameras dedicated to him, let alone so many gathered in one unique
collection.
This is what the collection
contains :
1) Leica M6 Titanium body
(Leica number : 10412) which carries the serial number : 2422599. In a
photo series of famous people / celebrities (all shot by Leica employee Michael
Agel) which were shown in the Leica Museum at the time , Gibson is posing with
this exact camera and this image is of course included as well. Uniquely, it
also is the only Leica M6 titanium camera which has got an actual engraving mentioning
the name Ralph Gibson at the back of it.
2) Leica MP body which
is quite unique as it has an 0.85 finder, featuring a black chrome
finish (instead of the standard black paint) and a nice red leatherette
covering. Most uniquely, this camera has been used by Ralph Gibson himself and
has a letter of authenticity included from him personally. Serial number of
this camera is : 3008982 and carries limited edition number : 31/50.
3) Leica M7 body (Leica
number : 10503), which was gifted to Ralph Gibson when he was asked by
Leica to shoot the images for the brochure/magazine which was produced to show
all the different Leica lenses (the brochure which is included in this auction
is signed by Ralph Gibson as well). As a “thank you” for this shoot he was gifted
this Leica M7 by Leica at the time. Regarding the M7 , this also carries his
engraved signature and has got serial number : 2782746 and has got a 0,72
finder and comes in the original Leica box. Many of the pictures in the magazine
have become iconic images and the one most well known (also for Leica) is the
picture of the Leica “test-wall” (in Wetzlar,Germany) where he put a model in
front of it. Also this signed image is included in this auction and has got the
edition number : 3/25 (2003) and measures 40 x 50 cm.
4) Leica (M9) Monochrom (Leica
number : 10760) camera “prototype” with signed Leica Summilux-M 1:1.4/50mm ASPH.
(Leica number : 11892). The camera carries the engraved signature as it
features the 50mm/1.4 lens. It’s both this Monochrom camera and lens which Ralph
Gibson used and with which he created all the images which are published in the
famous “MONO” book. The lens also features his signature which has been done
with a felt tip pen. The body has got serial number : 4344404 and the lens has
got serial number : 3992582 and both camera and lens are coming with the
original boxes included.
5) Leica (M9) SILVER
Monochrom body. This was / is the very first silver Leica Monochrom camera
produced and which was / is the prototype camera for the eventually produced “Ralph
Gibson” silver edition set . Besides the engraved signature is has got the
serial number : 00/35 (only 1 piece has ever been produced).
6) Leica (M9) SILVER M
Monochrom set “Ralph Gibson” (Leica number : 10776). It includes the Leica
M Monochrom body "Ralph Gibson" together with a Leica 35mm f1.4
Summilux both in silver finish and of which the sensor has already been
upgraded/changed. High quality leather is used for the camera body and
corresponding shoulder strap. In addition, this camera with accessories is
designed in close collaboration with Ralph Gibson himself as for our own Leica
Store Lisse of course which resulted into a Leica case which was only produced
for this edition !! On the silver top of the camera the signature of Ralph
Gibson is engraved. Furthermore included in the set is an exclusive gift box ,
similar as the one used for the Leica Hermes edition “at the time”, as it comes
with a limited signed edition of the world famous book "MONO" by
Ralph Gibson (also produced by Leica Store Lisse) together with a limited
edition signed and numbered photo. The limited edition serial number from this
set is : 22/35.
7) Leica (M246) Monochrom
body (Leica number : 10930). The last camera of this extensive collection
is the most modern camera, it’s the Leica M246 Monochrom prototype with
signature engraving and carries serial number : 4974668 and comes in the original
box.
8) Leica “MONO” portfolio
which Leica Store Lisse also produced in collaboration with Ralph Gibson
(and was / is shown all over the world as this one was for the exhibition at
Leica itself at the time , in 2015 , at
Leica Wetzlar as you can see on the attached image). The portfolio , which has
been sold out by now , contains 10 Fine-Art digital prints which are all hand
signed and numbered in the size of 33 x 42.5 cm, with passe-partout. It’s
delivered in a black case with the “MONO” engraving on it and was limited to
only 25 pieces (and 3 artist proofs) of which the one offered in the collection
has got the number : 1/25 !!
Ralph Gibson is an American
photographer best known for his fine-art images that explore the surreal visual
nature of the subconscious. Utilizing visual fragments that resemble the way we
see in dreams, Gibson’s images are mysterious, symbolic and often erotic. He
was born in Hollywood, California in 1939. His father was an assistant director
to Alfred Hitchcock and as a young boy he would visit the set during filming.
He was impressed by the power of the camera lens and the intensity of the
lights; this set him on the path to his later work in photography. Gibson is
equally renowned for his contributions to the evolution of photographic book
publication, in fact, one might say that he revolutionized it. His deep concern with how a sequence of
photographs can become a new and more meaningful unit in book form was evident
in his first book The Somnambulist, with its carefully developed page
transitions and meaningful sequencing. He
founded Lustrum Press in 1969 in order to ensure control over his published
work, following The Somnambulist with additional landmark monographs such as
Deja-Vu and Days at Sea. Over the years, Lustrum Press also allowed for the
publication of other ground-breaking books such as Tulsa, by Larry Clark and
The Lines of My Hand by Robert Frank. Gibson’s role in photographic fine art
image making and book publication cannot be overestimated. In addition to publications and exhibitions,
he has given lectures and led workshops in over twenty countries. He has received fellowships from the
Guggenheim Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts; he has been
awarded the Leica Medal of Excellence and is a Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts
et des Lettres of France. In 2018 he was appointed Chevalier of the Legion of
Honor by the president of France and as mentioned before , last year, the
photographer was inducted into the Leica Hall of Fame.
Probably a once in a lifetime
opportunity that you’re able to buy such a rare and extensive collection of complete
and documented Leica cameras !! Please contact us for further information or
more images when you want of course and you can imagine when offered in a Leica
auction the prices for these will probably explode !!
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Leica Store Lisse is an official
Leica/Rollei/Zeiss and Voigtlander dealer for over 55 years now
and we only deal with the highest quality in photographic equipement. We are
specialised in hard to find limited and collectable Leica/Rollei items as for
rare and hard to find prototypes. We ALWAYS have stock of the newest
Leica/Rollei/Zeiss and Voigtlander items. For instance we now have got stock of
the Leica M11 in both black and silver,SL2-Silver,Q3 as for the newest
Rollei cameras and TLR’s (FX,FW,FT and HY6 mod2) and their their lenses. If
you’re looking for something you cannot find in your own photo store please
feel free to check ours !! The prices will also amaze you !! Our reputation and
knowledge is widely known as is our perfect service we give our satisfied
customers for free !!
High quality cameras and its
users deserve special attention. This blossoms into a unique shopping concept:
the Leica Store. The only Leica Store in The Netherlands is based in
Lisse. With more
than 270 square meters, you can enjoy our passion for quality and our attention
to you as a customer to the max. Besides the latest Leica cameras, we also
offer very special historical and limited edition cameras. From all sorts of
brands a Leica is not just a camera, and we realise this like no one else. With
dedication, we inform you about the special features of a Leica and guide you
to the right choice. Just as with Leica, quality comes first with us. Quality
of the camera, but also of our information and service. In our Leica Store, we
regularly organise lectures, training courses and workshops for and by
professional art photographers. Please feel free to visit us. You can also
leave a message by e-mail with further questions or remarks about the
Leica cameras or lenses. We will be more then happy to answer those for you.
The shippingscosts will be $ 100,- for shipping
worldwide via Fedex service.
Please have a look at our
other items we are offering on e-Bay at the moment. Good luck bidding and when
you have got a question concerning this item please always feel free to leave
us a mail !!
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