SOLD
425.00USDto 8*************e+ buyer's premium (106.25)
This item SOLD at 2024 Jan 27 @ 11:16UTC-8 : PST/AKDT
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Manufactured in Riga, Latvia circa 1938, the VEF Riga has a three-element flat film plane lens. Rare purse type case. Reportedly taken off a German soldier in 1945 by an O.S.S. agent. The dimensions of the Minox subminiature camera are: 80 mm ◊ 27 mm x 16 mm; weight: 130 grams. Calibrated in feet. Invented by Walter Zapp in 1936, production began in Riga at VEF, running from 1937 until 1943. Minostigmat 1:3,5 F=15mm lens. (Serial number 05628)
The WW2 OSS and Cold War Spy Camera and Relic Collection, c 1942-c1970
The Minox Spy Camera Collection was assembled by Paul Franklin who worked with John Ford, who worked for the OSS (Office of Strategic Services) in Germany, and collected secretive German and other ìspyî equipment from World War 2 to about 1970. The collection includes dozens of cameras, a few relic weapons and an associated library of information on these rare pieces. The Minox ìSpyî camera collection may be the largest ever offered at auction.
Americaís entry into the war following the intelligence failure of the attack on Pearl Harbor, led to the establishment of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in June, 1942 to September, 1945. The OSS was formed during the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt under the Joint Chiefs of Staff and therefore gave coverage to all Armed Services. It was the predecessor of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The library for the relics within the collection contains actual training manuals of the period and are unredacted, offered in an upcoming auction.
The materials (cameras, artifacts and relics) collected include a ìspyî camera collection and a number of relic weapons. The Collection centers on Minox cameras. (lots 3166 to 3205.) The weapons, relics and library will be in an upcoming auction. The cameras include mini cameras used and manufactured by German, Russian and Japanese companies, mostly under the Minox company name. One of the cameras is disguised as a cigarette lighter. Another as a match box. A small library of information on many of these cameras can be found in lot 3197. This may be the best spy camera collection to be put to auction in decades.
A Brief History of Minox
Walter Zapp invented a mini camera in 1936 that was intended for international use. The factory was constructed in Riga, Latvia and began production of their first commercial model in 1938. The original Minox, model VEF was made of monel, an alloy of nickel (from 52 to 67%) and copper, with small amounts of iron, manganese, carbon, and silicon with better corrosion resistance than stainless steel. Two early models are catalog lot numbers 3199 built in Riga, Latvia from 1937 to 1943 and lot number 3200 built by the Russians after invading Latvia. Both are extremely rare, and among the very first ìminiî ìspyî cameras ever made! Those first cameras were often described as no larger than a ìpackage of chewing gum.î Only 17,000 Riga cameras were made between 1938 and 1943. The Latvian cameras were produced under German and Russian occupation, thus models exist for three different political entities during the 1938-1945 period. Many of the early Minox cameras in the Collection have both the original cases, as well as the rare focal length measuring chain, bot of which are listed in the descriptions as well as in photographs on the Icollector auction site.
The Minox Model II began its life in Germany after the end of the War. A few of the first of the model II were constructed of the Latvian Riga parts, but production soon changed to aluminum body shells to make the cameras lighter. Other important changes were made, including the addition of a black anodized surface, rendering them non-reflective, and thus more secretive as seen incatalog #ís 3182, 3185, 3189, 3192, 3193, 3194 and 3195. These are more rare than the regular aluminum finish. It continued to be used as an espionage camera by both sides of the Cold War. Lens problems led to a redesign of the lens in later models. (See D. Scott Young, The Riga Minox)
Model III and IIIS were introduced in 1951. It was the last design produced by Zapp.
Model B claims to be the most successful mini-camera od all Minox. The company made more than 384,000 cameras over a fifteen year span. It incorporated a exposure meter, a major step forward.
Model C began in 1969. It was battery powered and had the longest body of the Minox cameras. Further advancements were made during the 1860s and onward, including view finders, electronic exposure control, flash ability, lenses and much more.
Model BL came out in 1972, with only 18,000 made, a very rare acquisition today.
Model LX came out in 1978.
Model EC came out in 1971 Very different design.
In 1988 the Company was reorganized under receivership.
Model AX 1992
The MINOX TLX Camera was available until September 2014. Minox is now part of the Blazer Group GmBH, with its facilities in southern Germany. Production of 8x11 film ended in 2015 but is still available through various sources. The company now produces high-quality sports optics and night-vision devices, its only camera models being trail cameras.
Much has been written on the uses of Minox mini-ìspyî cameras through history. These stories are beyond the scope of this essay. Please see the story in Lot 3200
Auction Location:
3555 Airway Drive Suite 308, Reno, Nevada, 89511, United States
Previewing Details:
Preview
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Nevada State Sales Tax
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| NSST |
8.375% |
Nevada Sales Tax |
| CSST |
8% |
California Sales Tax |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
25% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
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This is a Live Auction conducted by Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC (HWAC).
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BE ADVISED: Auction participation through the live Internet bidding site is not 100% foolproof. The technology for this process is always changing, and the operation of it and the corresponding Internet connectivity issues are far beyond our control. Some folks have attempted to use the live Internet bidding process as their primary method of bidding, and have been quite successful. Others have failed completely. Depending upon your computer, server, host, and other factors, Internet signals may be delayed, such that bids may not be received in time. We cannot be held responsible for these delays, or for the lack of placed bids in a timely manner, or any other factors leading to unaccepted bids that are far beyond our control. Bidders should always have a backup plan for lots they highly desire. Live participation is best, followed by phone participation. We will not reopen lots for missed bids.
12. RESERVES: Most of the lots in this auction are unreserved. Precious metals may be reserved at or near or slightly below spot, at the auctioneer's discretion.
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From: to: Increment:
$1 $95 $5
$100 $190 $10
$200 $475 $25
$500 $1,450 $50
$1,500 $3,400 $100
$3,500 $9,750 $250
$10,000 $30,000 $500
$30,000 up $1000
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15. BID INFORMATION: Collectors often ask in advance the price level of a particular lot. We will give out the current competitive high absentee bid until we close the day before the live auction. You may also view absentee bids online at www.holabirdamericana.com. While we try to update the absentee bids as often as necessary, bids received close to the bidding deadline might not be reflected online, and we disclaim any responsibility for any bids made in reliance upon inaccuracies on our website, which may be beyond our control. We do not own any of the live Internet bidding platforms, and thus many aspects of the Internet technology are out of our control.
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17. All stock certificates, checks, warrants, and other financial documents sold herein are sold as antiquities, and have no financial, securities, or public trading value whatsoever.
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25. RETURN POLICY: All items are guaranteed to be authentic unless otherwise noted. If authenticity is challenged, please call our office for assistance. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. You may only return any piece that was significantly inaccurately described by calling our office within 10 days of receipt of item(s) and notifying us of the error and reason for return. We do not refund postage or insurance. Please call us if you require a more specific condition report. Any items that are returned must be returned in the exact, unaltered condition. When we receive your bids we will assume you have read the description in the catalog, viewed the image of the item, have contacted us regarding any questions you may have on any lot and/or have previewed the lot in person.
26. This sale is being held under the laws of the State of Nevada.
27. HWAC shall not be held responsible for any problem due to the bidder’s failure to follow the rules, terms and conditions of this sale, or any failure to bid due to the loss of the online auction process provided by any of the online auction networks; or missed bids, changed bids or cancelled due the bidder’s failure to follow the proper bidding procedure outlined herein.
28. By placing a bid or otherwise participating in the auction, Bidder accepts these Terms and Conditions, and specifically agrees to the dispute resolution provided herein.
29. HWAC shall not be responsible for consequential damages, incidental damages, compensatory damages, or any other damages arising or claimed to be arising from the auction on any lot. Bidder’s sole remedy for any proven act or omission shall be rescission of sale and refund of the amount paid by Bidder.
30. Any claim, dispute, or controversy in connection with, relating to and/or arising out of the Auction, participation in the Auction, award of lots, damages of claims to lots, descriptions, condition reports, provenance, estimates, return and warranty rights, any interpretation of these Terms and Conditions, any alleged verbal modification of these Terms and Conditions and/or any purported settlement shall be exclusively heard by, and the parties consent to exclusive in personal jurisdiction of, the Superior Court of Washoe County, Nevada. The parties expressly waive any right to trial by jury. Any claim must be brought within one (1) year of the auction from which the claim arose or the claim is waived. In every case, the prevailing party shall be entitled to an award of its attorney’s fees and costs.