Leica to Auction Guiliani Photograph on eBAY

All Proceeds Will Benefit the Families and Victims of the World Trade Center TragedyNew York City (PHOTOPLUS, November 1 – 3, 2001)--Leica Camera Inc. has united with the rest of the nation in the wake of the tragic events of Tuesday, September 11th and has vowed to make a difference in the lives of the victims of the World Trade Center Attack. On Monday, November 5th Leica Camera Inc. will post a photograph of the World Trade Center taken by Mayor Rudy Giuliani in 1997 on the eBay website, AUCTION for AMERICA…$100 Million in 100 Days. This portion of the eBay website is designed and devoted to filtering out and tearing down all the postings from sellers intent to accrue some amount of personal fortune at the expense of the pain that this attack has inflicted upon us all. “New York Twins” was one in a series of photographs taken by Mayor Giuliani with a Leica R7 camera and presented in an exhibit entitled View from the Capital of the World at the Leica Gallery in New York City in the spring of 1998. This exhibit was a benefit for the charity, New Yorkers for Children.

“New York Twins” measures 20” x 24”, is matted, framed and signed by Mayor Rudy Giuliani. This photo is a one-of-a-kind piece that has been numbered one in a limited edition of 20. Leica Camera Inc. originally intended to produce a series of 20 duplicates but decided not to do so following the events of September 11th. The image immortalizes the World Trade Center at dusk on an evening in January 1997. All proceeds for the sale of “New York Twins” will support the victims and families of the World Trade Center attack. Interested buyers should log on to www.ebay.com (Nov. 5 - 13).

A version of “New York Twins” will be on display at PhotoPlus Expo at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, Nov. 1 – 3.

In 1998, the Mayor was quoted as saying, “New York City is beautiful because it is not a planned city. Instead, it has arisen because of the ingenuity and ambition of individual New Yorkers, who have collaborated over time to create a city of unparalleled visual energy. In all five boroughs and on every scale, in famous places and on quiet streets, the beauty of New York is always emerging – especially today, with a renewed spirit of optimism carrying the city into the next century.”

“The attack on America has affected each and every one of us in a deeply profound way. It has made us all ask what we can do for those who have lost so much,” stated Roger Horn, President of Leica Camera Inc. “We stand with the conviction that through this trying time, the Mayor of the largest and greatest city in the world has led us and brought us together through his strength and determination to prevail. We believe that this has been without a doubt, Rudy Giuliani’s ‘Finest Hour’…and we are humbled to present this autographed photo he took of the Twin Towers for auction as Mayor Giuliani’s ‘Finest Photograph’.”

Leica is at once art, knowledge and philosophy of a very special subject: state-of-the-art optical performance. All over the world this brand name evokes an image of pioneering achievements in photography and of the uncompromising pursuit of the highest standards of quality. Well over 100 years of tradition in precision manufacturing and countless innovations and inventions have steadily reinforced this world-wide reputation. Leica Camera Inc. headquartered in Northvale, NJ, distributes a complete line of Rangefinder/ SLR cameras and lenses, point & shoot cameras and sport optics. For more information on Leica, please contact (800) 222-0118 or visit Leica’s Web site at www.leica-camera.com/usa.

SOURCE Leica Camera Inc.