Collectible pin?

[MC42]

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I was given a mini-replica / pin of a leica camera (M-series) which is about 1" long and hangs from a pin by a thread representing the camera strap.

 

If you look through the back of the metal replica and out the lens, you see an image of the factory with the text "Ernst Leitz Wetzlar".

 

I am NOT looking to sell it, but only to get some history on it if possible. I haven't been able to turn up anything like it through online searches.

 

I'm not sure how to post a photo here (yet), but will try if it will help.

 

Anyone seen one of these before?

 

MC.

[ismon]

What you have is a Leica stanhope. These were given out as a souvenir of the 1950 Photokina. I have a photo of mine ( including the interior view ) published in Lager's volume 3 --Accessories, page 324.

[MC42]

What you have is a Leica stanhope. These were given out as a souvenir of the 1950 Photokina. I have a photo of mine ( including the interior view ) published in Lager's volume 3 --Accessories, page 324.

 

Thanks ismon - I appreciate the help! MC.

[e.d.maes]

First I admit that I never came across such an item...

 

There seems one inconsistency however:

the original post describes it as an M-series Leica model (for as far as you can judge this from a 1" item; but I expect typical aspects like viewfinder windows, etc. make identification possible); that makes it unlikely, even quite impossible, that it dates back to 1950, the M being introduced only 1954. The IIIg does not resemble the M enough for confusion.

 

If resemblance to the M line is definite, it may well be a similar type of item circulated later (at some later Photokina, or at the M model launch or otherwise).

 

A picture of the item under discussion would of course help here. Besides, I would be pleased to see it.

 

eddie.