1950 JEP Delage Clockwork Electric Coupe In Original Box
Amazing pressed steel French built clockwork and electric DeLage Coupe complete with original box. Provenance from the Donald Kaufman collection Bertoia auction (Lot 1923). Original hang tag (not shown) will be provided. Catalog graded near mint. However with a total of only six tiny 1mm chips (less than 1/16"), I believe it easily grades near mint+ to mint condition. I've also included a key, which from my research, indicates is correct for this toy which enabled me to test the motor which works great! It runs forward and reverse directions. Head lamps could not be tested since the style of European battery needed is no longer manufactured. Bertoia catalog graded box as fair. Although cover only (some edges and two corners) shows old tape it is complete and all original. I believe it grades good+ to VG. The auto was also cataloged as "c.1930's" however this style of the DeLage Coupe and Saloon Limousine were manufactured for less than five years during the late 1940's and early 1950's. DeLage is better known for their magnificent racing vehicles and 1930's art-deco supercars which were on par with Bugatti. DeLage automobiles were built in France. Features include heavy gauge pressed steel body (weighs over 2 pounds), gorgeous brilliant orange/red baked enamel paint, working hinged right-wheel-drive "suicide door" (opens from front to rear) with working exterior door handle, working right-side-drive black enamel steel steering wheel, and powerful rear drive clockwork motor with exterior release lever (located below rear trunk). The lever position controls either forward or reverse directions. In terms of "style" it features a wonderful art noir wide body with wide front and rear fenders, covered rear wheel wells, one piece rounded style hood with awesome chrome plate vertical oval front grille embossed JEP and side wings with embossed horizontal lines, wrap-around chrome plated front and rear bumpers with embossed JEP license plates, separately added chrome side window molding, and chrome plated split front windshield. The tires are solid black rubber with raised yellow circular ring firewalls and ultra-high bullet type chrome plated wheel covers. In addition, the tires have rounded rims, rather than square. Each has 10 raised parallel treads. The chassis is a single, flat grey enameled plate. It's stamped with the JEP trademark and arrows showing placement of the motor release for forward and reverse movement. The key is polished heavy gauge pressed steel. The headlamps are original. It also has 100% of its original French, battery placement label intact. The box cover is a heavy cardboard covered with faded orange paper stamped with multiple images of the JEP trademark and products. It has nearly its complete original French manufacturing label on one end. The box bottom is also heavy cardboard without covering. Staples on either end of the box cover are old and appear to be original. I've also left Mr. Kaufman's notated sticker on the bottom of the chassis. It indicates that he bought this vehicle April, 1971. He paid $25. Size: 13¼". Date Sold: Nov. 2009
Price Sold: $ 751
