Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/10/27
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>They began >to trade on their reputation by making a series of instant collectibles >for the gullible. While it might make sense to make a 50th or 75th >commemorative camera, why a "Danish Royal Wedding" and the like for any >reason except to fleece the naive from their wallets? How long will it >be until the marketing geniuses at Solms proudly release the "Not So >Royal Wedding" M6 or the "I Got Fleeced at Solms" R8? LEICA DOESN"T MAKE MOST OF THE COMMEMORATIVES FOR THEMSELVES! The "Sultan of Brunei" and "Danish Royal Wedding" M6 were made-to-order, to be used as official gifts for VIPs in those countries. The "Columbo" was made-to-order for a large Italian camera distributor and the "Year of the Rooster" for an Asian distributor. The Royal Photographic Society and LHS commemoratives were made-to-order for those groups. One of Leica's own commemoratives was made because they were stuck with a whole bunch of specially-plated bodies from a large order that was canecelled. Other companies who make expensive "luxury" items, such as watch, jewelry and pen companies, also produce limited editions with special engravings, either for governments and large corporations who need expensive VIP gifts, or for organizations who want special commemorative items to celebrate special events. The commemorative Leicas are the result of the nature of the M6; it is a classic design, is of high-quality manufacture, has a solid and precise feel, and is perceived as prestigious. What is the classiest photographic item you can think of, that is manufactured today? Can you imagine giving a visiting head-of-state a gold EOS or F5 or R8? It just wouldn't have the same class. Except for Leica's own commemoratives, Leica created them to fill orders from customers, not because they decided to do them on their own. If filling a speical order for 2,500 cameras enables them to pay the bills, I don't fault them, although I find the cameras uninteresting and I hate the way they contribute to the image of Leicas as commodities rather than tools. The fanatacism of Leica weenies, however, means that we know about every single variation and every special run of the cameras, even if they are outside of normal production and would ordinarily be ignored, as they should be. What does seem to happen is that a certain number of each commemorative find their way into the collector's market. In some cases, I think this is a deal to help the customer finance the special runs of cameras, buy selling a few to collectors at ridiculous prices. I think some of these actually come through normal Leica distribution channels. - - Paul