by Peter M. Larsen and Ben Erickson
Content: The story of Jacques Saoutchik and his life spans eight decades, two world wars, a flight from Imperial Russia, incarceration, the birth of the automobile and its design, the Great Depression, the heyday of the Carrosserie D'Automobile Luxe in France and its subsequent annihilation - all set against a backdrop of glittering socialites, artists, demi-mondes and couturiers who populated the chic salons of Paris. It was an endless pursuit of elegance, a merry-go-round of the rich and famous - bl atantly ignoring the facts of life, which in the end found itself obliterated when the music stopped. It was a way of life that was trampled by the most fundamental political and social upheavals the worl d has ever seen. On top, Jacques Saoutchik lived a personal life which for decades involved maintaining two completely separate families, each knowing of the existence of the other.
And then there are the cars. The fabulous, extraordinary, extravagant, spectacular works of art that Jacques Saoutchik designed and manufactured. He was the greatest artist the coach building industry has ever seen.
This book is a three volume homage to his life and art,
with more than 1164 pages and 1933 images - many of which have never been seen before.
Deluxe Leather Edition: ISBN: 978-1-85443-270-4
Twenty Deluxe, signed copies, each hand-crafted by English artisans in full leather with hand-marbled endpapers. Each set delivered in custom-made slipcase and protective Solander box.
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Author's Note:
"On Sunday September 28, Ben and I spent a wonderful indian summer afternoon with Jacques Saoutchik’s daughter Jacquemine and the Guilloux family. We were in the beautiful villa in La Celle St. Cloud which Jacques bought for Jacquemine’s mother Raymonde in 1923, where Jacquemine and her daughter Catherine still live.
Jacquemine received her copy of Jacques Saoutchik, Maître Carrossier (see below), and everyone had a delicious lunch in the garden.
The B/W image below is printed on page 190 of the book. From right to left it shows, Jacques, Raymonde, Jacquemine’s aunt Jeanne and Jacquemine, then friends of the family. At the far left with braided hair, Arlette Sablé, who was a childhood friend of Jacquemine and lived in La Celle Saint-Cloud until the age of 91. The color picture we took on Sunday - 86 years later on the same terrace. On it are Jacquemine, grandchildren and great-grandchildren along with the authors.
It was a lovely and memorable day."
--Peter Larsen