845044

Art Deco Plaque: Itala Motorcar. Peking Paris #845044

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Other Start Price:30.00 USD Estimated At:0.00 USD
Art Deco Plaque: Itala Motorcar. Peking Paris #845044
<table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4"><tr><td><em> </em></td></tr><tr> <td width="100%"> 1920-30s: Very decorative plaque, artist signed, S. J. <BR><BR>
Itala Motor Car and factory at front side, God Mercury and cars at the back side. <BR><BR>
Size: 1. 5 inches. 31 grams. Could be silver ? no hallmark. Very fine condition.<BR><BR>
Itala was an Italian car maker. <BR><BR>
In March 1907, Le Matin printed a challenge, "Will any one agree to go, this summer, from Peking to Paris by motor-car", so recorded Luigi Barzini (1874-1947), a well-known Italian newspaper reporter. Shortly afterwards, Prince Scipione Borghese (1871-1927) replied to Le Matin's challenge "I hereby enter my name for the Peking to Paris race in an Itala motor car. ...". Barzini was directed to cover the race by his newspaper, travelling to China via the USA, and was granted permission to accompany the Prince in his motor car. He sent back reports of the trip by telegraph and wrote a popular book of the adventure, Peking to Paris, at the trip's end. The third occupant of the Itala was Ettore Guizzardi, the Prince's mechanic and chauffeur, who had the heavy responsibility of repairing and maintaining the car, and who shared the driving. </td></tr><tr> <td> </td></tr><tr> <td>Reference #: col9047</td></tr><tr><td>Condition:very fine</td></tr><tr><td>Year:1920s</td></tr><tr><td>Country:Italy</td></tr><tr><td>Height:1.5</td></tr><tr><td>Width:1.5</td></tr><tr><td>Title:Art Deco Plaque: Itala Motorcar. Peking Paris</td></tr><tr><td>Location:Vienna</td></tr></table>