Nikon L / Nikon L

Nikon L11004 prototype, 24 x 34½mm., unsynchronised. The interior back/baseplate engraved with matching serial number and base engraved MADE IN OCCUPIED JAPAN, the top plate engraved NIPPON KOGAKU TOKYO. With Leica screw-fit mounting flange and coupled rangefinder. The camera would appear to be based on an earlier design than that of the Nikon I. The MIOJ and NIPPON KOGAKU TOKYO engravings in block letters represent the earliest style of engravings, as to be found on Nikon I cameras numbers 6091 and 6094, before the Nippon Kogaku shield logo appeared on later cameras. Different from later experimental Nikon cameras with Leica screw mount, such as L1101 in the Nikon Museum or other cameras based on Nikon M and S models, this camera with number L11004 suggests to represent number 4 of an L1100 series, dating back to the very early prototyping for a Nikon 35 mm camera, when it was yet to decide whether to go for Leica screw mount or for the "Contax" bayonet. However, no other specimen of such an early Nikon prototype camera with Leica screw mount has ever surfaced. Historically significant! With a Canon Serenar 50 mm f/1.9 lens No. 34825. Provenance: Joseph C. Abbott, the former sales manager for Nikon in the United States; Christie´s South Kensington, "Leica, Nikon and 35 mm Cameras", 14th of June 2005, Lot 72. Literature: Robert Rotoloni, "Nikon L 11004", NHS Nikon Journal 101 (September 2008), p. 14ff.; Uli Koch, "Nikon 100 Anniversary", p. 72, 73.