Popular Post Pecole Posted January 17, 2012 Popular Post Share #1 Posted January 17, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) This is undoubtedly the "pearl" of my Fontenelle collection : the search, discovery and acquisition of the sole original Leica 250 prototype, the chrome plated nº 114052. By the way, the second prototype, the black paint nº 114051 belonged to the sister collection of my late friend Jean-Paul Bachely, but it had unfortunately been upgraded to FF standard, with slow speeds, new top fairing and knobs, and strap lugs. The story of the Leica 250 begins in Belgium, more precisely in Antwerp in May 1933, when a professional photographer is asked to "cover" a religious ceremony in Mechelen : the confirmation of more than 200 boys and girls by the local Cardinal. A Leica user, the photographer hired several bodies and lenses, since the speed of the ceremony didn't allow for film reloading. After the ceremony and when handling back the equipment to the importer, he asked if it would be possible to design something allowing to take several hundreds pictures when keeping the Leica handling and silence qualities. When the suggestion came to Wetzlar, two Leica II - one chrome plated and one black paint - were modified and sent to the photographer for trials, the first (nº 114052) on November 14 and the second (nº 114051) on December 11, 1933. They appear in the Leica delivery books as "Model II for 250 photos" and "Reporter camera II" respectively. The photographer was so enthusiatic that he bought both, and both remained in Belgium until their re-discovery. The nº 114051 landed by pure chance on the counter of Jean-Paul Bachely, a retailer and Leica second-hand specialist and collector. When we decided to "co-ordinate" our collections, I "discovered" (don't forget that it happened 40 years ago!) that both 250 prototypes had been delivered in Belgium, and I started tracing the second one. Again by an incredible chance, a few years later, a friend of my older son, knowing my interest in Leica, brought me two bad quality polaroids of an old Leica given by her godfather to the mother of his girl-friend. The first shock was to discover a chrome plated 250, the second one to decipher the serial number. Needless to say that I rushed... To finish with this pre-historical part, let me say that the lady knew about the story of the camera, that a friend of her had confirmed it was a valuable item....and that it finally was the dearest of all Leica items I ever bought. Now the photos, and first - just for the fun - the two original polaroids where I discovered the "thing". Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! And here is the "114052" in its original and slightly damaged (front vulcanite, ring around telemeter window missing) condition. Note the raised top fairing on the winding knob side, the "simple" winding knob, the absence of slow speeds and strap lugs. In fact, the only known photo of the Leica 250 prototype ever published before "mine", appeared in Fritz Vith's "Leica Handbuch", 1935 edition. And to complete the story, two photos of the nº 114051, upgraded to FF standards : 21 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! And here is the "114052" in its original and slightly damaged (front vulcanite, ring around telemeter window missing) condition. Note the raised top fairing on the winding knob side, the "simple" winding knob, the absence of slow speeds and strap lugs. In fact, the only known photo of the Leica 250 prototype ever published before "mine", appeared in Fritz Vith's "Leica Handbuch", 1935 edition. And to complete the story, two photos of the nº 114051, upgraded to FF standards : ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/170736-fontenelle-archives-91-leica-250-prototypes/?do=findComment&comment=1900718'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 Hi Pecole, Take a look here Fontenelle archives 91 : Leica 250 prototypes. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
sabears Posted January 17, 2012 Share #2 Posted January 17, 2012 Great story and camera...! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerzy Posted January 17, 2012 Share #3 Posted January 17, 2012 amazing! thank you Pecole! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted January 18, 2012 Share #4 Posted January 18, 2012 Thank you for sharing Pierre Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bateleur Posted January 19, 2012 Share #5 Posted January 19, 2012 Fascinating history and a fortuitous find. Regards Charles Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted January 19, 2012 Share #6 Posted January 19, 2012 Great saga and a stunning piece! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpattison Posted January 23, 2012 Share #7 Posted January 23, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Brilliant stuff, Pecole! Could you please start a thread explaining about the Fontenelle collection: how you started, what happened to it (assuming it was split up?) Many thanks, John Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pecole Posted January 23, 2012 Author Share #8 Posted January 23, 2012 Brilliant stuff, Pecole! Could you please start a thread explaining about the Fontenelle collection: how you started, what happened to it (assuming it was split up?) Many thanks, John Thanks for your interest, John. Since I already told the story here (long ago), I sent you a private message. Regards Pecole (Pierre Jeandrain) 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.