GOI Leningrad prototype outfit *

The famous first version prototype of the Leningrad camera. The GOI-Leningrad was widely unknown for many years and remained mysterious until 1990 when a drawing of the second appeared in Pont/Princelle's '300 Leica copies' and in 2004 photos of the first version prototype no.1686 (offered here) and the second version no. 2088 has been shown in the second edition of Princelle's 'The Authentic Guide to Russian and Soviet Cameras'. The GOI-Leningrad offered here is an advanced, precisely made 35mm rangefinder camera, with a special lens mount, different to the later version 2 prototype. Another unique feature is a small focusing wheel placed left below the lens, equipped with a spring-loaded infinity lock. Unlike the serial production Leningrad, this camera does not use a spring drive - it has got a folding, single-action winding lever on the back of the top plate. Included in this lot is a set of seven prototype lenses, showing various stages of development and possible focal lengths for the system: 1. No.4099 - Industar 2.5/5cm 2. No.4192 - Industar-22 3.5/5cm 3. No.4211 - Uran-14 2.5/3.5cm 4. No.4252 - Industar-28 3.5/5cm 5. No.4258 - Jupiter 1.5/5cm 6. No.4296 - Industar-24 2.8/5cm 7. No.4299 - Industar-26 2.8/5cm All lenses were made by GOI Leningrad and are engraved accordingly. All are showing amazing technical precision and attention to detail, unseen in the later serial production lenses. This is the first time this special camera is being offered in a public auction. It is for sure the most impressive prototype outfit and a milestone from the history of the Soviet photographic industry.