N09014

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Lot 14
  • 14

Leica

Estimate
500,000 - 750,000 USD
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Description

  • Leica
  • Digital Rangefinder Camera
  • Inscribed: Designed by Jony Ive & Marc Newson for (RED) 2013 edition 01/01.
  • Main body: magnesium die-cast.
    Outer shell: milled and anodised aluminium.
    Lens: Max. f-stop: 2.0 / focal length: 50mm / based on LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M 1:2/50mm ASPH.  The lens has a fixed focal length.  Program modes include aperture priority mode and manual setting mode.
Custom-made by Jony Ive and Marc Newson for the (RED) Auction 2013. Edition 01/01.

Condition

In brand-new condition. Together with a black carrying case with red suede-upholstered inset trays and an instruction manual.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

Donated by Leica Camera AG.

The Leica camera may hold the distinction of having been responsible for more famous images than any other tool of creation: think of "V. J. Day at Times Square" by Alfred Eisenstaedt, the iconic portrait of Che Guevara by Alberto Korda, and any number of definitive photographs by Man Ray, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Helmut Newton, Diane Arbus, Garry Winogrand and a myriad of other photojournalists and artists. And so it comes as no surprise that Jony and Marc would include a Leica in this auction, which is devoted in equal measure to icons and to innovation. But in this case, the pair did far more than select and customise an existing object: they partnered with the legendary manufacturer to design a singular new example, based on the Leica M, from the ground up.

Jony and Marc observe that Leica products are built entirely around function and so the designers' first task was to immerse themselves in the astonishingly complex mechanics behind Leica's cameras. Then the task was to make it all look as simple as possible, with the caveat that achieving "simplicity" is often one of the most complex tasks for a designer. "Simplicity," they say, is not about the absense of clutter, but comes from a deep understanding of every element's purpose: as a result, a simple design will reveal the true personality of an object, with all its quirkiness.