Bernard Kerik and the 150,000 Dollar Leica

It seems this camera is not to be discussed, my inquiries about it have been deleted on various photo sites. No one should profit from 9-11, especially those who are hired to protect and serve. If we allow profit then we should go ahead and allow the sale of the coins made from recovered 9-11 silver, this camera is no different, it is in the same bad taste.

Auction Description:
One of a kind Leica M7 Titanium John Botte '9/11 Memorial' camera with Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH, with makers box, presentation box, soft black leather lens case, strap, instructions, cards and ‘50 Years Leica M’ book. The top plate engraved ‘TO THOSE WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE, SEPTEMBER 11, 2001’ and engraved with outline of the fallen World Trade Center and NYPD shield, with Botte's precinct number 23, the back engraved with John Botte’s signature, the body covered with leather embossed ‘NYPD’. Together with a signed copy of his book ‘Aftermath’ and a 11 in. x 14 in. fiberbase silverprint photograph on Agfa semigloss paper, the only copy printed on this stock, pencil signed and dated 9/13/01, depicting one of the images printed in his book.

John Botte is a retired NYPD detective and photographer. On September 11th, 2001 he was asked by Bernard Kerik, the New York City Police Commissioner, to document the events of the day and the ensuing aftermath. He shot everything using his Leica M6 and was able to capture some of the most iconic images of that time. In 2006 he produced a book of these images titled ‘Aftermath’.

This one of a kind camera was designed and commissioned by John Botte in 2005 and produced by Leica AG Solms. Copies of the correspondence between Mr. Botte and Leica Camera pertaining to the production of this camera will be made available to the purchaser. Photos of the camera in production can be seen below.
Estimate
$100,000 - 150,000
Source: auction.igavel.com

This sale caused outrage within the photography community, people questioned the ethics of such an act. Questions arose early on when it was discovered John Botte took the photos on city time. Who owns the photos? Who should benefit?

His brother responds to the outrage from the sale and profit:
“My opinion is biased because John is my brother. I fully appreciate all the comments but I am saddened by some. First of all he was asked to share his camera with Leica enthusiasts and that's it. He doesn't need "marketing" because he is represented by one of the largest book publishers in the world.”
Source: www.l-camera-forum.com

Share? His brother wants to “share” the camera? Yeah, for between 100,000 and 150,000 he’ll share. Now the questions. Who originally paid for this camera, taxpayers, or was it donated to the police department? One of a kind Leicas are far from cheap, who will profit from this sale? Certainly not the widows and children of 9-11, it seems only John Botte or Bernard Kerik will profit. If a person chooses to “share” this camera then here’s a thought, donate to a 9-11 memorial or museum. We call that sharing. This camera is no different from the sale of the coins made from recovered metal found at Ground Zero, you know the ones that were in such bad taste. We had the good grace to stop that.

The story does have a twist, anything with Bernard Kerik's name always has a twist:

NYC May Sue over 9/11 Photos

Botte originally collaborated with former city police commissioner Bernard Kerik to take photos for Keric’s autobiography, “The Lost Son: A Life in Pursuit of Justice,” according to ABC News. Botte told ABC that he only used his own personal equipment to take the photos.

“The City is not trying to stop publication of the book,” Singleton said. “The City is just interested in seeing that Botte does not profit personally from the publication of this book,” he told Reuters.

Botte, who retired after lung sickness associated with Ground Zero ash, said that the project had put him financially behind and does not expect to make money from the book.
http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/NYC-May-Sue-ov...

If a person doesn't expect to make money from a book why sell the camera for 150,000 dollars. I question the ethics of these people, we all should.

The real outrage here is when did Kerik decide to do a book and get this police detective Botte to take pictures? Why wasn't he helping in other ways? Other than profiting? How did this book get published so quickly by ReganBooks? We know about Kerik's involvement with that company.

Michael Harris