[Leica] A visit with Dan Black

[len-1 at comcast.net (Leonard Taupier)]

Some of you older LHSA guys may remember Dan. He was LHSA President  
around 1995/96. Well he is a collector and seller of mostly older  
Leica gear. He has been collecting for over 40 years. I spotted a  
lens I wanted on his web site, a 200/4 Telyt for my Viso III. Since I  
live only about 30 minutes from Dan I gave him a call and set up a  
visit. When I arrived we went into his den/showroom. Wow! I was in  
the Leica candy store. Especially good for LTM users. So we chatted  
for nearly 2 hours and I ended spending more then I planned. But I  
did pick up the 200 and a 50/1.5 Summitar and a LTM to M adapter. All  
mint. no haze, no fungus, no cleaning marks. And a lot less then market.

What Dan is doing is trying to sell off most of his stuff except for  
his private collection. He's in his late 70s now and looks great.  
He's going to down size and won't have the room for everything. I did  
get to handle a $20,000 Leica 72 in mint condition that Dan has had  
for years. Neat half frame.  I expect a few more visits in the near  
future. Need to sell off some stuff.

Len