Missing: Leica Ia

[LeicaVermisst]

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Hello,

 

i’d like to ask all Leica collectors, and friends of this forum, for your help.

 

It’s about a very rare Leica Model 1a.

The camera has been family property since the 1920s and used to belong our granddad, who used it to shoot many photos during his travels around the world. This rare camera is especially valuable to us, since it's an heirloom and an important keepsake in memory of our beloved grandfather.

 

A while ago I had to discover, to my horror, that said Leica was purloined from its box in my apartment.

There is only a very small circle of people who had access to this box, but I don’t want to accuse anyone without proper evidence.

That’s why I’m trying to find our camera by way of asking you for help.

 

Our Leica has a very distinct detail that makes it a unique item:

 

The 1a was only produced in relatively small numbers. But, in addition to this, my grandfather's also had a very specific modification. I’m no technical expert, and so I can’t tell you what the modification was for exactly - but I think it was some sort of connector for an external trigger or timer. It’s an easily seen connector on the front side of the body, a little to the left underneath the lens. You can spot it in the attached photo.

 

As far as I know, it is the only specimen with this distinct modification.

 

So my question to the specialists and collectors in this forum is:

 

Have any of you seen this camera, or has someone perhaps even offered it to you to buy?

If so, could someone point me to the current owner of this camera?

Has he or she maybe asked questions about it in the past?

 

Since this camera is a family heirloom, and a lot of memories of our grandpa are attached to it, it is very important to us to get it back! I therefore also want to offer a reward for hints that will lead to the return of our Leica.

 

Every lead is appreciated! Thank you very much for your help!

Edited April 13, 2015 by pop
Fixed photograph

[earleygallery]

Hi, sorry to hear about your camera. The Hektor lens version is quite rare so if you keep searching the usual websites it may well turn up. 

 

The modification is not so rare - it has been 'upgraded' at some point to take a flashgun - many earlier Leicas were upgraded in this way. But the combination of the lens, the flash socket and noting the brassing wear on the body should make it easier to find if it's in circulation. 

 

I would send an email to as many Leica dealers as I could find as well - start by looking at the list of official dealers on the Leica website. 

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[luigi bertolotti]

Sad story... and the thief , if well informed, knows also that such a stolen camera is risky to be sold through channels that allow a significant income (auctions... you can verify many recent prices of 1A with Hektor at collectiblend.com) : the sentimental value is high in comparision to what one can fetch through a "gray market sale"... I hope you'll find it.... I don't know if ebay does accept segnalations of stolen items... personally, I consider this as the probable channel one can choose, if wants to sell it... if on the contrary is a "collector thief" that's a problem unless you have solid evidences for a formal action.

[dkCambridgeshire]

Do you have a serial number?  You are based in Germany thus might be prudent to Email the German Leica dealers and ask them to keep an eye open for a Leica 1A Hektor with a flash synch modification. Only 1330 Hektor models were made and assuming only a small proportion were modified for flash use, your camera would be very distinctive. Also worth contacting auctioneers e.g. Westlicht Auction in Vienna which is part owned by Leica Camera AG.

 

Would not be too difficult to 'un-modify' the camera thus making it appear more original and sought after - but the serial number would nail it as a stolen camera. 

 

 

dunk 

Edited April 14, 2015 by dkpeterborough

[LeicaVermisst]

Hi, sorry to hear about your camera. The Hektor lens version is quite rare so if you keep searching the usual websites it may well turn up. 

 

The modification is not so rare - it has been 'upgraded' at some point to take a flashgun - many earlier Leicas were upgraded in this way. But the combination of the lens, the flash socket and noting the brassing wear on the body should make it easier to find if it's in circulation. 

 

I would send an email to as many Leica dealers as I could find as well - start by looking at the list of official dealers on the Leica website. 

 

Do you have a serial number? 

 

the serial number is: No 50432

 

Is there an official list of german Leica dealers?

[dkCambridgeshire]

If only a few people knew about the camera and had access to the box there might be fingerprints other than your own on the box … If the police confirmed 'foreign' fingerprints then those 'in the know' about the box would need eliminating as suspects … and surely they would not object to cooperating 

 

Fingerprints on the box could be the 'proper evidence' you seek. 

 

 

Another thought … when was the photo of the camera on top of the record deck dust cover taken? Any date would suggest a time frame during which the camera was stolen and when those 'in the know' visited … or did not visit … latter could maybe eliminated as suspects. 

 

The camera appears to be a 1930 model … not 1920s. 

 

List of German dealers can be accessed by keying in GERMANY as a search:  http://uk.leica-camera.com/Stores-Dealers/Leica-dealer-locator

 

Was the camera insured? If so are you making a claim? If making a claim what does your insurance company say about the matter?  

 

Have you taken all reasonable steps to try and find the thief and recover the camera? 

 

Only you know who the suspects are. 

 

It's a very valuable camera.

 

dunk

Edited April 14, 2015 by dkpeterborough