The charity lot, an 35mm Leica M-A camera and a Noctilux lens, both bearing the serial number 5,000,000, was presented to Pope Francis (1936–2025) in 2024.
TEANECK, N.J., Sept. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — This fall, auction house Leitz Photographica Auction will offer the most extraordinary charity lot in its history – a unique Leica M-A camera with a Leica Noctilux-M 50 f/1.2 ASPH. lens, personally presented to Pope Francis by Leica Camera AG in 2024. Both the camera and lens in this exceptional set share the serial number 5,000,000. All proceeds from the sale will be directed to the personal charity institution of His Holiness. This remarkable charity lot is one of many highlights in the upcoming auction – others include a Leica I Mod. A Luxus from 1929 and the Leica MP-114 black paint from 1958. The 47th Leitz Photographica Auction will take place on November 22nd at the Hotel Imperial in Vienna.
Leica products with a distinctive serial or fabrication number are very popular with collectors and deeply rooted in the company’s history. Over the past 100 years, Leica Camera AG has awarded these exceptional products to distinguished personalities in recognition of their achievements. In keeping with his commitment to charity and social causes, Pope Francis chose to auction the Leica set, with all proceeds directed toward helping those in need.
The unique camera is finished in silver chrome, with a special white covering. The base plate, back flap, and some of the controls are also painted white. The engravings on the camera and lens are yet another highlight. The hot shoe cover is adorned with the Keys of Peter, while the back of the top plate bears His Holiness Pope Francis’ motto, “Miserando atque eligendo,” meaning “lowly but chosen.” The special engravings are filled with white, gold, and black paint. The Noctilux lens is finished in chrome, with engravings filled with gold and white paint. The body cap and the lens cap are engraved with the Coat of Arms of the State of Vatican City. Both the camera and the lens are additionally engraved with the year His Holiness Pope Francis received this gift, inscribed in Roman numerals: A.D. MMXXIV.
Complementing this unique camera is an exquisite presentation box with a matching key exclusively made for this outfit. The charity lot also includes a photograph of Pope Francis receiving the camera. Bidding for the set starts at 30,000 euros, with an estimate of 60,000 to 70,000 euros.
Luxury variations of well-known camera models have been a Leica tradition for almost a hundred years. In 1929, the company began producing the Leica I Mod. A Luxus, an extravagant variation of its first series camera. Due to its rarity and its conspicuous gold-plated body, the Leica I Mod. A Luxus proves particularly appealing to collectors of historical cameras today. The camera auctioned on November 22nd is one of the first Luxus Leica cameras ever produced. Its estimate ranges from 300,000 to 360,000 euros.
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SOURCE Leica Camera USA
