Books on early motoring: catalogues, periodicals and guides

The early years: races, clubs and first books

On 22 July 1894, Le Petit Journal staged a “horseless carriage” trial between Paris and Rouen: 102 entrants, 21 finalists and a shared first prize awarded to Panhard et Levassor and Les Fils de Peugeot frères. The Automobile Club de France was founded on 12 November 1895; it organised the first Paris Motor Show in 1898, then the first Grand Prix, run near Le Mans on 26–27 June 1906 and won by Ferenc Szisz driving a Renault.

Books of the period are works by pioneers. Louis Baudry de Saunier, a leading populariser, published Theoretical and Practical Motoring, Chauffeur’s Recipes (1901) and The Art of Good Driving (1906). Pierre Souvestre, later co-author of Fantômas, contributed an History of the Automobile for Dunod and Pinat in 1907. That same year Octave Mirbeau brought out La 628-E8 with Fasquelle, the title taken from the registration of the Charron in which the narrator travels; the 1908 edition, illustrated by Pierre Bonnard, was limited to 225 copies.

Periodicals and newspapers

Specialist motoring press kept pace. L'Auto-Vélo launched on 16 October 1900, became L'Auto in 1903, inaugurated the Tour de France cycle race that year and ceased publication on 17 August 1944. In 1901 Baudry de Saunier co-founded La Locomotion, which became La Vie automobile in 1903 and gave rise to Omnia in 1906. With their full-page advertisements and race reports, these journals are primary sources; complete, bound runs command higher prices than individual issues.

Catalogues, advertising and travel guides

Manufacturers' and suppliers' catalogues, once distributed for free and then discarded, have become collectibles, particularly those from before 1914 and the interwar period, often meticulously designed and illustrated. Large accessory catalogues, such as those by Mestre et Blatgé, showcase automotive, bicycle, and even early aviation equipment.

The Michelin Guide was first published in August 1900, with an initial print run of 35,000 copies given to tyre buyers; it became a paid publication in 1920 and began awarding stars to fine dining establishments in 1926. Bibendum, designed by O'Galop, had already appeared in 1898. Pre-1914 editions are highly sought after: a copy of the 1900 edition sold for €15,000 in 2012. Automobile club guides, maps, and road guides complete this category.

Rallies, Grand Prix, and rallies

Citroën turned adventure into a showcase. The Black Cruise (Croisière noire) crossed Africa from October 1924 to June 1925 under the leadership of Georges-Marie Haardt and Louis Audouin-Dubreuil, who later published a book about it with Plon in 1927; painter Alexandre Iacovleff was part of the journey. The Yellow Cruise (Croisière jaune) connected Beirut to Beijing from April 1931 to February 1932. The 24 Hours of Le Mans, first held on 26 and 27 May 1923, and the Monte Carlo Rally, established in 1911, have left behind programmes, posters, and souvenir books.

Technical manuals and journals

The Revue technique automobile, founded by Jean Châtelain, published its first issue in May 1946; each issue focuses on a specific model. These journals and manufacturers' repair manuals appeal to both classic car owners and collectors: the exact model number often matters more than age. Pre-war maintenance manuals, such as those for the Citroën Traction Avant, are particularly scarce.

What determines value

• Rarity: items distributed for free were rarely preserved.
• Condition: rusty staples, tears, and grease stains significantly detract from functional documents.
• Completeness: presence of fold-out plates, maps, price lists, and supplements.
• Subject matter: a prestigious brand, a sought-after model, or a famous race attracts more enthusiasts.

A common technical journal may cost a few dozen euros; a pre-1914 manufacturer’s catalogue, a year’s bound volume of a journal, or an illustrated album ranges from a few dozen to several hundred euros depending on condition.

Frequently asked questions

Do old issues of Revue technique automobile hold value?

Often modest, around a few dozen euros. Early issues, rare or highly sought-after models, and clean copies—without missing pages or garage wear—command higher prices.

Which Michelin Guides are most sought after?

First, those from 1900 to 1914, now rare, followed by interwar editions in good condition. The 1939 edition, reprinted in 1944 in Washington for Allied officers, is a curiosity. Post-war guides remain common.

### How to store catalogues, magazines and posters?Flat or supported, in neutral folders and boxes, protected from light and humidity. A tear can never be repaired with adhesive tape, and rusty staples, which stain the paper, can be replaced by a conservator.### Do you buy the archives of a garage or a collector?Yes: catalogues, magazines, photographs, programmes, books and company documents. A few photographs sent from the valuation page are enough for an initial assessment, free of charge and without obligation.## To go further- [Journals and old magazines](/livres-anciens/journaux-et-revues-anciennes/) - [Old almanacs and directories](/livres-anciens/almanachs-et-annuaires/) - [Preserving an old book: humidity, light, temperature](/conservation-livre-ancien-humidite-lumiere/) - [How to value an old book](/guides/estimer-livre-ancien/) - The [Science, technology and law](rayon/sciences-techniques-et-droit/) section - [Sell and have your old books valued](vendre-estimer-vos-livres/)