Leica in the time of Virus

As I am classed as 'vulnerable'and(confined to barracks until the expiry of 12 weeks from a vague date in the middle of April) not much has happened on the Leica front. I feel I have exhausted the possibilities within walking distance of home despite entering a print of my lounge window in an interesting shadow in the latest Annual Exhibition -yet to be judged as another result of the lock down.

So, competitors have many boxes of prints lying in Oxford and were forced to cancel the 'Annual' scheduled for the end of April. Simply remaining healthy is sufficient reward and this is not intended to be a moaning column.

Taking a strictly positive view there are a few Leica-related activities available down here, if only putting all the Leica books on one shelf! Rather preferable to taking table top pictures of men made from pipe cleaners which featured in the thin magazines of 1939-1945.

On the subject of Leica literature I have put together a few examples of what is available, some of which may be unknown to those coming to Leica film work at a recent point.

For upwards of 85 years the collection of complete sets of the magazines associated with our favourite brand has been a 'must' for club members. This probably started with the Leica News and Technique issued by the company at Mortimer Street in the 1930's
This ceased (suddenly) in 1939 on the outbreak of War. I think I have the full set which is of historical interest but for me does bear the heavy touch of Factory Issue publicity. I believe it could be obtained free in UK by owners of a camera willing to register their camera at the company, which rather depended on how it was acquired or imported! I know of one that was imported,part assembled over several trips abroad and reassembled here.

Often assembled in specially embossed spring covers these do give a slice of history. My picture shows the binder, a separate copy and a contemporary 31/4" slide made for lecture purposes.

When the Second World War was over it took some years to see the emergence of Leica Fotografie from the German publishing house,Umschau Verlag, of Frankfurt.These were first

published in German only and soon acquired an English translation on 'Onion skin' paper that over the years becomes attached to the prints if not kept perfectly dry.Roughly the same size as our pre-war magazine these are probably the best known Leica Magazine which remained in issue until the 1990's before more glossy and larger issues took over. This series is the 'classic' issue which almost all members seem to have in an complete set either bound or loose. I must admit I have both!

The content is a rich source of knowledge for anyone whose interest lies in film and an endless source of Winter reading. Published about six times a year there were some 240 issues in all which make quite a dent in the book shelves but is well worth having. Do check the language first as they exist in English,French and German.

The last Magazine I want to include today is little known in UK but well worth snapping up if one finds any copies.Like the German version this one is called Leica Photography, with US/English spelling. Again issued free to owners I have the earlier issues bound and later ones loose. The format is larger than the European and their sources are World Wide rather than a Central European flavour seen elsewhere. Each edition had a 'Gravure' section for optimum presentation of B/W work.However the very best is the technical data relating to many highly collectable products sold in small numbers that are hardly mentioned in detail in Europe. It may help to know that there were either three or four issues each year.The content includes products by Leitz NY. Happy Hunting.