L'Album du Pur Sang de l'Automobile

Original text by F. Loiseau, illustrations by O. Fabrès edited by R. Bigot

Reprint of a booklet, published in a very limited edition of just 620 copies in 1932.

Oscar Fabrès' 1932 work, L'Album du Pur Sang de l'Automobile, is an exceptionally rare, self-published art portfolio featuring hand-colored caricatures and pochoir prints of elite automotive society, notably including Ettore Bugatti and his legendary cars. Due to its scarcity, the work is considered a holy grail of automotive literature. Original copies are nearly impossible to find.

The publication features French satirical text written by Loiseau and vivid illustrations by the prominent Dutch-French cartoonist and illustrator Oscar Fabrès.

It serves as a rare portfolio of Bugatti humor, cartoons, and car culture from the era, rather than a dry list of automotive specifications. It features gorgeous color plates making fun of, and celebrating, the motoring elite. The title plays directly on Ettore Bugatti’s legendary slogan "Le Pur-Sang de L'Automobile" (The Thoroughbred of Automobiles), drawing a parallel between his precision-engineered vehicles and elite race horses.

Dante’s Press is now pleased to announce the publication of a faithful, high quality reprint of the original. The reprint of the very rare "Album" was made possible by the generosity of the eminent Bugattiste Jeroen Vossen of Dilsen, The Netherlands, who provided a digital copy of his original.

This translation was the work of Robert Kohler of Paris, France. A dear friend, industrial designer, author, marvelous modeler, five times winner in the General Motors Craftsman's Guild design contests of 1965 to 1968. His book "Petite Histoire de L'Automobile" features his model dioramas showing the history of the automobile , available from Donald E. Toms Booksellers

Alexander Leith , Registrar of the American Bugatti Club has been of great help with information and support.

Justin Phillips and his staff at Minuteman Press of Bradenton, Florida, have been most patient and helpful in making this booklet a reality.

The Lt. Loiseau biography is from his book "A Cent A L'Heure A Travers Le Sahara" published by Editions du Palmier in 2004 and translated by the acclaimed artist and author Francois Vanaret. His automotive art can be found in many prominent collections here and we have the honor of distributing his books on classic coachwork.

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  • Softcover, 8,5 x 11 inch (21,6 x 27,9 cm)
  • 32 pages with nine page English translation
  • Language: French - English
  • Publisher: Dante's Press
  • Price: $27.50 postpaid in US
  • For ordering, contact: don@bugattibooks.com


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15-7-2026