Leica-related items. Leica Manual and Data Book by Willard D. Morgan and Henry M. Lester + 4 brochures.

Leica Manual, 13th edition.  Morgan & Morgan, 1956. [456 pp. including chapter with pictures of all Leica models from A thru M3. Many illustrations, several in color by Ivan Dmitri & Alfred Eisenstaedt, also Paul Berg, Toni Schneiders, et al.] With four 1950s E. Leitz brochures, "Why a Leica?," "The Most Advanced Camera, Leica M3," "Visoflex II Instructions," & "Leitz." Manual is very good in hardcover with minor wear at spine tips, binding a bit skewed, dented on cover with moderately worn dust jacket chipped at extremities. Brochures very good, two have been folded.  Summary of Leica Manual:

Leica Manual: The Complete Book of 35mm Photography (13th edition, published in 1956 by Morgan & Morgan) is an authoritative, 456-page hardcover technical reference work edited by Willard D. Morgan and Henry M. Lester. This landmark edition marks a major transition point in photographic history, as it was completely rewritten to introduce the revolutionary Leica M3 and its new bayonet-mount system, which permanently altered the landscape of 35mm photojournalism.

Core Themes and Content

• The Leica M3 Revolution: The central focus of the 13th edition is integrating the mechanical and optical advancements of the Leica M series alongside traditional screw-mount models (like the If, IIf, and IIIf). It provides exhaustive breakdowns of the M3’s integrated rangefinder/viewfinder, rapid wind lever, and hinged back door.

• Optical and Equipment Mastery: The volume features deep technical analyses of the mid-1950s Leitz lens lineup—such as the 50mm Summicron, Elmar, and Hektor lenses—complete with optical resolution charts, depth-of-field tables, and instructions on utilizing specialized accessories like the Visoflex reflex housing for telephoto and close-up photography.

• The "Available Light" Philosophy: Mirroring the rise of the "Concerned Photographer" movement, multiple chapters focus on the aesthetics and chemistry of low-light, candid photojournalism. It details how the quiet shutter and bright viewfinder of the Leica allowed photographers to work unobtrusively in everyday environments.

• Darkroom Chemistry and Film Technology: The text contains highly detailed, practical instructions on handling the emerging high-speed films of the 1950s (such as Kodak Tri-X). It provides precise chemical formulas and developing time charts for fine-grain developers, alongside advanced techniques for printing, enlarging, and managing color transparency film.

• Specialized Applications: Beyond general photography, the manual serves as a handbook for scientific and professional fields, offering dedicated chapters on microphotography (photomicrography), medical photography, copy work, and the production of filmstrips.

As the definitive collector's and user's guide of its era, the 13th edition of the Leica Manual remains a vital historical document that captures the exact moment post-war 35mm rangefinder photography reached its mechanical and cultural zenith.