DAVID DOUGLAS DUNCAN LEICA MP (M3D-2) GOES FOR 1.2 MILLION
There’s only one David Douglas Duncan, and only four M3D-2 cameras were made by Leica. This record auction price is believed to be highest ever paid for a production model camera (shades of Steve McQueen’s Porsche 911S sold in August last year).
Three Leica MP cameras owned by Magnum photographer Paul Fusco also sold for €858,000. The first Leica owned by Robert Capa was sold for €78,000 at the same Vienna auction. Thanks to my sister Sharon for the link.
This particular example of the classic German Leica rangefinder was commissioned especially for DDD in 1955. The M3D-2 cameras are pre-production MPs produced in a black enamel finish and exhibit features of both the Leica M2 and M3.
Now 96 years old, the Life magazine photographer remains one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century. He is probably best known for his dramatic combat photographs and his intimate images of Pablo Picasso. Picasso was introduced to him by another famous combat photographer, Robert Capa.
Along with Eugene Smith, these were the guys who championed photographer’s rights early on. We would not have our intellectual property copyright laws without them.
(Top Photograph: BNPS.CO.UK, Bottom Photograph: David Douglas Duncan)