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Lot description
ARTIST: HENRI EDMOND RUDAUX (1870-1927) SIZE: 31 3/8 x 15 1/4 in./79.7 x 38.8 cm DESCRIPTION: Rudaux creates another delightful maquette, this time for Benz, which was still in its formative years, and had not yet merged with Mercedes. In 1909, the company had finished construction on a large new factory in Mannheim, and had just begun production of their race cars and consumer automobiles. In 1909, their Blitzen Benz—driven by the Frenchman Victor Hémery—destroyed all previous speed records set by automobiles, ships, and even airplanes when it reached 202.7 km/h (about 126 mph). Interestingly, the company stopped participating in road races this year—in fact, an industrywide boycott occurred after the 1908 Grand Prix, in which Mercedes won first and Benz took second. Talk about auto drama! Nevertheless, Rudaux's sprightly maquette gives us a sense of the revolutionary moment. As with the previous drawing, no printed copy exists. In top left margin, a hand written note in German likely addresses Benz manager Josef Brecht, and adds "not for reproduction." (Art Nouveau; Automobiles)