Leica Celebrates China With a Golden Camera

Though the People’s Republic of China has surpassed its golden anniversary by 10 years, Leica is celebrating the country’s 60th birthday with a limited-edition 24-carat gold-plated camera. The 60 cameras being released will cost approximately $30,000 and are each fittingly hallmarked with a year between 1949 and 2009. Encased in red calfskin, the cameras bear the inscription of Mao Zedong’s favorite slogan, “Long Live the People’s Republic of China” and an illustration of Tiananmen Square all in red calligraphy. Since the cameras will be available in such limited quantity and location (only in mainland China), interested photographers will have to get their funds and golden tickets ready quickly before losing their shot.