-40%

Leitz Enlarger (?) w/easel - VERY RARE - Close to FILOY, perhaps 1-of-a-kind

$ 2640

Availability: 100 in stock
  • Condition: In good condition - everything seems to work.
  • All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
  • Brand: Leitz
  • Type: Enlarger

    Description

    I've done as much research as possible and this is very close to a FILOY, however even E. Leitz couldn't peg exactly what it is. According to them, it may have been a wartime prototype that never actually went into production. Not sure if it's worth anywhere near what I'm asking, though I'm also not sure that it's not worth 10 times that price or more, if it's a one-and-only produced item. Make a reasonable offer and it's yours, or, if you have info regarding it please let me know. I've consulted Leica U.S. as well as Germany, and a couple of U.S. collectors and nobody knows exactly what it is. It does appear to work well. The following is from a Leica Collector's Guide:
    "In 1926 a variable enlarger FITES became available (50cm column, lens marked with f-stops). This was followed in 1928 by the FILOY, same as FITES but with a 120cm column and a lens marked in relative exposure values. This was available under various names, the difference being the size of easel supplied. The next model was the VALOY I, with the development of a condenser which could be raised and lowered to keep the negative flat. From Denis Laney’s 'Leica Collector's Guide'".