Autograph Album of 70 Legendary Drivers – 1940s–1960s

The Paris Sale|30 January 2026, 11:00 CET|Paris, Polo de Paris

Autograph Album of 70 Legendary Drivers – 1940s–1960s

Exceptional autograph album containing more than 70 signatures from Formula 1 drivers and leading figures of European and international endurance racing from the 1940s to the 1960s. This unique document stands as a rare testament to the golden age of motor racing and the birth of the Formula 1 World Championship, at a time when drivers could still be met informally in the paddock.

Among the identified signatures are:

Belgian drivers:
Johnny Claes, Émile Cornet (winner of the 1949 Grand Prix des Frontières and Formula 1 driver), André Pilette, Charles de Tornaco, Adrien Scheid, Georges Berger, André Milhoux.

World Champions and Formula 1 legends:
Alberto Ascari (World Champion 1952 and 1953), Giuseppe Farina (the first Formula 1 World Champion), Juan Manuel Fangio (World Champion 1951, 1954–1957), Mike Hawthorn (the first British Formula 1 World Champion), Sir Stirling Moss (16 Grand Prix victories), Peter Collins.

Ferrari and Maserati drivers:
Luigi Villoresi, Franco Cortese, Maurice Trintignant, Harry Schell, Jean Behra, Peter Walker, Roy Salvadori.

24 Hours of Le Mans competitors:
Paul Frère, Alan Rippon, John Laurence, Richard von Frankenberg, Alain de Changy.

Other notable drivers:
Roberto Vallone, Amédée Gordini, Roger Laurent, Louis Rosier, José Froilán González, Jack Fairman, Dan Gurney, Hugh Mackay Fraser, John Fitch, Alan Brown, Lex Beels, Horace Gould, Guy Gale, Ivor Bueb, and many others.

Several pages also feature handwritten notes or local inscriptions, making this album far more than a collector's item: a vivid historical record of European motor racing.

The autographs are contained in a dedicated oblong leather-bound album.
Dimensions: 14 × 9 cm.

Footnotes

Carnet d'autographes de 70 pilotes de légende – Années 1940-1960

Exceptionnel carnet d'autographes regroupant plus de 70 signatures de pilotes de Formule 1 et de grandes figures des courses d'endurance européennes et internationales des années 1940 à 1960. Ce document unique constitue un témoignage rare de l'âge d'or de la course automobile et de la naissance du Championnat du monde de Formule 1, à une époque où il était encore possible de rencontrer les pilotes en toute simplicité sur les stands.

Parmi les signatures identifiées figurent notamment :

Pilotes belges :
Johnny Claes, Émile Cornet (vainqueur du GP des Frontières 1949 et pilote de F1), André Pilette, Charles de Tornaco, Adrien Scheid, Georges Berger, André Milhoux.

Champions du monde et légendes de la F1 :
Alberto Ascari (Champion du monde 1952 et 1953), Giuseppe Farina (premier Champion du monde de F1), Juan Manuel Fangio (Champion du monde 1951, 1954–1957), Mike Hawthorn (premier Champion du monde britannique), Sir Stirling Moss (16 victoires en Grand Prix), Peter Collins.

Pilotes Ferrari et Maserati :
Luigi Villoresi, Franco Cortese, Maurice Trintignant, Harry Schell, Jean Behra, Peter Walker, Roy Salvadori.

Participants aux 24 Heures du Mans :
Paul Frère, Alan Rippon, John Laurence, Richard von Frankenberg, Alain de Changy.

Autres pilotes notables :
Roberto Vallone, Amédée Gordini, Roger Laurent, Louis Rosier, José Froilán González, Jack Fairman, Dan Gurney, Hugh Mackay Fraser, John Fitch, Alan Brown, Lex Beels, Horace Gould, Guy Gale, Ivor Bueb, et bien d'autres.

Certaines pages comportent également des annotations manuscrites ou inscriptions locales, faisant de ce carnet bien plus qu'un simple objet de collection : un véritable témoin vivant de l'histoire de la course automobile européenne.

Les autographes sont réunis dans un carnet oblong dédié, relié cuir.
Dimensions : 14 × 9 cm.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact client services.
Buyers Premium and Charges
Like the vast majority of auctioneers Bonhams charge a Buyer's Premium on the Hammer Price of each Lot purchased and this is subject to VAT. Some lots may also be subject to VAT on the Hammer Price and these lots will be clearly marked with a symbol (†, Ω, *) printed beside the lot number.
For Automobilia the Buyer's Premium is 28% on the first €40,000 of the hammer price; 27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of €40,001 up to and including €800,000; 21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of €800,001 up to and including €4,500,000 and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of €4,500,001.
For Motor Cars and Vehicle Registration Numbers the Buyer's Premium will be 15% on the hammer price of each Lot.
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% + VAT of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Buyers Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import Licence or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such Licence or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancellation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licences please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.
- Automobilia
- Cars