Leica II ("Luxus"), 1932

Leitz, Wetzlar. No. 73765, calibrated to "0", brown snakeskin (the mounting lines are visible on the underside of the lens), the following parts are matte gold-plated: top, baseplate, lens, the large adjustment screw on the back, and all screws. Elmar 3.5/50 mm no. 154412, a "0" engraved on the focusing lever, viewfinder lens with two small scratches on the front, shutter functions, rangefinder is accurate (coarser dust around the clearly visible wedge in the viewfinder). Regarding the chemistry of the gold plating: The initial gold plating for the Leica Ic at Leitz was presumably done in-house; they did not use the proven, smudge-proof electroplating of the jewelry industry. If you see original Leitz gold plating on an Ic Luxus, the pleasant matte finish (if well preserved) is noticeable, but it is sensitive to touch (due to protein compounds in the perspiration of certain individuals – see unsold Leica II Luxus in auction images). After 1932, Leitz discontinued gilding after a few Leica II cameras were produced. However, there was a "luxury" problem with later special editions for celebrities, and it wasn't until later that sufficient smudge-proof gilding became available. Gilding from outside Leitz is also known from the post-war period. The baseplate shows strong brown discoloration without any signs of abrasion, suggesting decades of resting on a wooden board. Forensic trace analysis could provide more precise information about the location and date of the gilding. A historical note on gold and photography: There is something significantly positive for photography about protein-sensitive gold dust of molecular nano-size – the Koslowsky effect, which increased sensitivity in gelatin for film, dates back to 1936 and enabled Agfa to achieve its global market dominance until 1945. And it gave Leica users better photos.

布雷克拍品等级是为了方便竞买人判断拍卖品的成色而设置的。布雷克等级用1到6级来标注外观和功能的成色，(从非常好到非常差)。 在目录图册里用括号里的2个数字来表示，前一个数字表示外观成色的级别，后一个数字表示功能成色的级别。如(3/2)表示外观成色是3(满意的)，功能成色2(好)。 成色 定义参照下列标准： 1 - 非常好 (未使用过，没有使用痕迹) 2 - 好 (新，极少的使用痕迹) 3 - 满意的 (普通的使用痕迹) 4 - 及格的 (明显的使用痕迹，某个非主要部件是后配的) 5 - 有缺陷的 (极明显的使用痕迹, 某个主要部件是后配的，功能上有缺陷，需要修理) 6 - 非常差 (严重破损, 缺少重要部件)