OSTLICHT AUCTIONS | CAMERAS & PHOTOGRAPHY

Thanks for participating in our OstLicht Auctions Spring 2026!

You can see the results here:

RESULTS PHOTO AUCTION

RESULTS CAMERA AUCTION

 

^{© Michael Seirer Photography}

Successful OstLicht Auctions! Since its founding, Vienna’s WestLicht Museum of Photography has established itself not only as a venue for widely acclaimed exhibitions, but, from 2002 onwards, also as the home of the world’s leading auction house for historical cameras. Today, this tradition is continued by Galerie OstLicht. Yesterday’s auctions formed part of the WestLicht anniversary celebrations and were held under the motto – “Collectors for Collectors”.

The double auction concluded with impressive overall sales rates of around 80 percent for the camera auction and 70 percent for the photo auction. This result is further proof that the expertise, passion, and personal service of the independent team around Peter Coeln, not controlled by any corporate group, are more important than ever — especially in economically challenging times.

As expected, the highlight of the OstLicht Camera Auction was a pre-series example of the legendary Leica MP from 1956. With a starting price of EUR 180,000, it far exceeded all expectations, selling for EUR 1,140,000 including premium, making it one of the most expensive post-war Leica cameras ever sold at auction. As always, collectors from around the world took part in the auction by telephone, online and in the room.

The second part of the auction day was the OstLicht Photo Auction. The selection was also conceived as a homage to artists who have been exhibited at WestLicht and OstLicht since the founding of both institutions. A large-format print by René Burri, who shared a long-standing friendship with Peter Coeln, achieved EUR 43,200 including premium against a starting price of EUR 14,000. Further highlights included Peter Beard’s collage I’ll Write Whenever I Can from 1965, which sold for EUR 54,000 including premium against a starting price of EUR 18,000, as well as a rare bromoil transfer print by Rudolf Koppitz, Bewegungsstudie, from 1925, which realised EUR 43,200 including premium against a starting price of EUR 24,000.

For OstLicht’s operators, however, it remains equally important to offer cameras and photographs that can bring joy to collectors with more modest budgets. A large share of the auction’s net proceeds will go towards supporting the continued activities of our partner non-profit association WestLicht.

The next photo auction will take place as part of the Parallel art fair on September 13th 2026 at the Otto Wagner Areal.

 

 For inquires: Peter Coeln | coeln@ostlicht.org