Leica camera of former LIFE photographer auctioned off for $2.19 million in Austria

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Handout photo made available on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 in Vienna, Austria, shows a Leica M3D, on top, that dealership Westlicht Auction says was auctioned off for 1.68 million euros (US$ 2.19 million) last Saturday. The Vienna store says the Leica M3D was used by David Douglas Duncan. At left a Luxus Leica from 1929 that was auctioned off for 1.02 million euros (US$ 1.32 million), at right a Leiva M3 that was auctioned off or 900.00 euros (US$ 1.16 million). (AP Photo/Dieter Nagl, WestLicht Auction, HO)

VIENNA – An Austrian photo gallery says a camera used by a photographer who documented the life of artist Pablo Picasso has sold for a world record price of €1.68 million ($2.19 million).

The Westlicht gallery says the Leica m3d belonged to David Douglas Duncan. The 96-year-old former photographer for LIFE magazine was a close friend of Picasso and published hundreds of exclusive photos of him.

Manufactured in 1955, the camera is one of four ever made, and the price is a world record for a commercially produced camera.

In a statement Monday, Westlicht says the second-highest price in the Saturday’s sale was for a gold-plated Leica made in 1929, which sold for €1.02 million ($1.3 million).

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