Gear: Rare Porsche Factory Art Book

Rare Porsche Factory Art Book

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February 13, 2013
12 comments

I’m a sucker for vintage automobilia.  I love looking for it, perusing swap meets, flea markets, and antique shops for some little piece of automotive history that survived the ages.

Not long ago, I stumbled upon quite the find in a used bookshop in Milan.  It’s a 15” X 19” (38cm X 48cm) binder with a beautiful enamel Porsche emblem and leather strap forming a clasp.  Inside the binder are 18 large-format lithograph color drawings of various automobiles in which Dr. Ferdinand Porsche was involved.

Printed in Germany in September 1963, it appears to be a factory art book, perhaps given out a select group of clients.  The first page lists each of the 18 models along with a brief description of Porsche’s involvement in each.  The 18 listed are:

•    The Lohner-Porsche Chaise of 1900

•    The First Race Car with 60 Horspower

•    The 1905/6 Touring Car with Combination Drive

•    Austro-Daimler “Prince Henry”

•    The Town Coupe of 1914

•    The 4.4 Litre Austro Daimler of 1921

•    The 1100 cc “Sasha” Race Car

•    Daimler Race Car for the 1924 Targa Florio

•    The Mercedes SSK 7.1 Litre Engine

•    The 5.3 Litre Steyr “Austria”

•    The Auto-Union Race Car of 1934/37

•    The first VW of 1938/39

•    The Cisitalia Grand Prix Car – 1500cc Four-wheel Drive

•    The first 1100 cc Porsche of 1948

•    Porsche Spyder with Four Overhead Camshafts

•    The Eight-cylinder Porsche for Formula 1

•    The 356 C Porsche with Disc Brakes

•    Type 901 Porsche 

Can you help identify what the history of this book may be?

Look for other Porsche automobilia treasures here on eBay.

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Frank Barrett
Frank Barrett
6 years ago

There are two versions of this item. First, the one shown, and a later version in a gold paper wrapper. Check with me at Toad Hall Motorbooks, http://www.toadhallmotorbooks.com, fdb912@gmail.com, or 303/237-0911. Don’t have one for sale right now, but I come across them and would be glad to keep your name.

Rustyfe
Rustyfe
6 years ago

I recently came into possession of this publication, still in the packaging postmarked Nov 63. It was sent to an individual, not sure what his affiliation was with Porsche.

Jorge Rueda
Jorge Rueda
7 years ago

Could it have been something that was privately shared between factory employees?

Tiarrah S
Tiarrah S
7 years ago

My father has the same set. Have you found out any more information?

sergio schifano
sergio schifano
10 years ago

I have it !!! and I’m selling it I don’t know the price, I had it from 1975 circa, but… the cover is different.

sillyher
sillyher
10 years ago

Hello Afshin–I just came across one of these in my Uncle’s estate. Have you learned any more about it? Just curious as we are about to have an estate sale. Would appreciate any help you can offer. Thank you–Lisa

Afshin Behnia
10 years ago
Reply to  sillyher

Hi Lisa,
Unfortunately I have not learned anything else other than the comments posted here. I’m sure a die-hard Porsche fan would be willing to pay a pretty penny for it. Make sure it goes to a good home.

Ae Neuman
Ae Neuman
11 years ago

what a fantastic find !
never seen anything like this before.
it looks to be in excellent condition.
🙂

Johnny Rapunzel
Johnny Rapunzel
11 years ago

I have no idea what kind of book this is – but if you need someone to translate the german parts i am more than happy to do so…

Afshin Behnia
11 years ago

Thanks Johnny. Fortunately the text is both in German and English, but there’s no mention of the origins of the book.

Johnny Rapunzel
Johnny Rapunzel
11 years ago
Reply to  Afshin Behnia

well, didn’t see you reply until now – in the meantime i translated the short piece i could read:

Prof. Dr.-Ing. h.c. Ferdinand Porsche, born September 3 1875 in Maffersdorf, Sudetenland (now: Vratislavice nad Nisou, Czech Republic) designed very special cars throughout his life. Even his first car that he built for “k.u.k. Hofkutschenbauer” Jakob Lohner in Vienna did attract a lot of attention, as this car was a showpiece for the Austrian pavillion during World’s Fair in Paris 1900.
The story of the cars created by Porsche is a story of extraordinary cars.
Stuttgart has become a second home for Professor Porsche. As he became technical director at Daimler, he did built a villa in which his son and family still lives in. in 1931, Porsche founded an independent design office that later became Porsche Werke (Porsche factory). in this design office, cars like the Volkswagen and the Auto-Union Grand-Prix-Wagen have been created. The Auto-Union Grand-Prix-Wagen became famous for winning a lot of races between 1934 and 1937 with its drivers Stuck and Rosemeyer. Professor Porsche died in January 1951 in Stuttgart. He formed a part of automotive history.

Afshin Behnia
11 years ago

Thanks for doing that! I’m sure our readers will appreciate it.

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