Ulysse Valentin - Originele technische tekening – “Coupe d’un Différentiel” - Ulysse Valentin c1920

Original technical school drawing – 'Cross-section of a Differential' – circa 1920 – École Professionnelle de Mécanique, Huy (Belgium)

Beautiful original hand-drawn and hand-colored technical cross-section of a car differential, originating from the École Professionnelle de Mécanique in Huy, Belgium.
The drawing shows in detail the operation of the differential in cross-section, with carefully colored parts in Indian ink and pencil colors — an impressive example of technical education from the interwar period.

The drawing is signed by Ulysse Valentin, Professor of Automotive Mechanics, and bears the stamp of the technical school ('École Professionnelle de Mécanique – G. Hautecœur, E. Thys, U. Valentin and Cie').

This type of drawing was used as study and exam work in the automotive department of the school, and today it is a particularly collectible document from early automotive technology.

Section of a Differential
Period: approx. 1920
Origin: École Professionnelle de Mécanique, Huy (Belgium)
Technique: East Indian ink and pencil on thick drawing cardboard.
Dimensions: approximately 70 × 50 cm
Signature/stamp: yes, signed and stamped.
Condition: good, with light signs of aging and edge discoloration; small creases, see photos.

Comments
A very decorative and technically interesting drawing, executed with great precision and still in vibrant original colors.
A beautiful collectible for enthusiasts of historical technology, automotive history, or industrial heritage.


Short biography of Ulysse Valentin

Ulysse Valentin (active from the early 20th century) was a professor of automotive engineering in Hoei and Marchin (Liège province, Belgium). He trained young technicians and driver-mechanics during a time when the automobile was still in full development. Valentin was known for his didactic approach, producing large and precise diagrams that helped students understand the workings of engines and vehicles.

His education reflects the transition from horse-drawn carriages to cars. The signatures and stamps on his students' drawings and diplomas make these documents valuable testimonies of the early history of motorsport in Wallonia.