Little objects of desire: the Arts & Cars automobilia auction at Rétromobile

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As we have said before, Salon Rétromobile is the perfect place to do some shopping, especially if the item you happen to be shopping for is a vintage car. Of course, that's easy to say, but those who find themselves with no surplus garage space (most of us, no doubt) will have to content themselves with just browsing the auction catalogues and dealer displays with wistful longing. Maybe, though, there's a bit of unadorned wall somewhere at home, or a space on a shelf that desperately needs filling, and you've got just enough room left in your hand luggage to fill the offending gap with a dainty little objet d'art. If that's the situation you find yourself in, you could do worse than to visit the Arts & Cars automobilia sale at Rétromobile on February 7th, which contains more than 40 lots guaranteed to enchant all those enthusiasts with the collecting bug.

We're sure most readers admire the work of Géo Ham and would not be averse to owning some of his paintings or sketches. There will be plenty of opportunities with Arts & Cars, including three portraits of Hellé Nice (500-1,000 euros as one lot), a rather elegant watercolour of a Renault Caudron in flight (2,000-4,000 euros) and a canvas-backed poster for the 1947 Grand Prix at Nîmes.

Leaving Ham, there's a very handsome 1934 poster by R. Géri for Bugatti cars and trains (400-600 euros), and a plaque (400-600 euros) is among the other unique artworks on offer. It was produced in 1918 as a gift for Louis Renault following his award of the Légion d'honneur for his rôle in the war effort, and it depicts a Renault FT17 tank crushing the eagle of Germany.

Elsewhere, natty dressers might be glad for the opportunity to own a couple of pin badges issued by the Automobile Club de France, one of which is an especially pretty enamelled piece dated circa 1910. For enthusiasts for garage memorabilia, one of the most unusual items in the sale is a Michelin air compressor (2,500-3,500 euros), dated circa 1925, complete with a large Bibendum astride it.

Perhaps the most impressive object in the sale, however, is an early pedal car described as a 1905 Renault landaulet. Of decidedly jaunty proportions which wouldn't have looked out of place in a Rowland Emett cartoon, the fact that it is not a full-sized car surely does not exclude it from carrying the oily-rag label. It is in quite an extraordinary unrestored condition, and looks like it would be an excellent instrument for teaching young enthusiasts about the merits of preservation. Any children eyeing it up will have to save a lot of pocket money, though—the estimate is 25,000-50,000 euros.

To see the full catalogue of this exceptional sale, click here.

Salon Rétromobile takes place from February 5-9th at the Expo Porte de Versailles in Paris. More information and ticket sales can be found here.

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