Lot Essay
Despite the attribution of French manufacture, the car is strongly reminiscent of Issmayer production and the driver and mechanic of Günthermann production
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Details
A rare Abraham Oppenheim clockwork 'L'Auto Catastrophe'
two-seat racing car with 'catastrophe' mechanism, lithographed in red with gold and black detailing, red wheels with cream tinplate tyres, with painted tinplate driver and mechanic, rear brake and large wire spring under bonnet extending to rear-mounted drive motor, which activates front spring as it unwinds, causing car to fly into two parts and driver and mechanic to be thrown out, circular patent disc at rear with 'A O' monogram and 'Article Francais, Brevete SGDG' --20cm. long, French, circa 1905 (F-G, some corrosion, some bending to steering wheel, front lamp missing)
two-seat racing car with 'catastrophe' mechanism, lithographed in red with gold and black detailing, red wheels with cream tinplate tyres, with painted tinplate driver and mechanic, rear brake and large wire spring under bonnet extending to rear-mounted drive motor, which activates front spring as it unwinds, causing car to fly into two parts and driver and mechanic to be thrown out, circular patent disc at rear with 'A O' monogram and 'Article Francais, Brevete SGDG' --20cm. long, French, circa 1905 (F-G, some corrosion, some bending to steering wheel, front lamp missing)
Special notice
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 15% on the buyer's premium