Camera used by Picasso's photographer sold for $2.66 million in Austria

VIENNA (AP) - An Austrian photo gallery said a camera used by a photographer who documented the life of artist Pablo Picasso has sold for a world record price of 1.68 million euro (S$2.66 million).

The Westlicht gallery said the Leica m3d belonged to Mr David Douglas Duncan. The 96-year-old former photographer for Life magazine was a close friend of Picasso and published hundreds of exclusive photos of him.

Manufactured in 1955, the camera is one of four ever made, and the price is a world record for a commercially produced camera.

In a statement on Monday, Westlicht said the second-highest price in the Saturday's sale was for a gold-plated Leica made in 1929, which sold for 1.02 million euro.