Panhard & Levassor Prestige Brochure "S'ils avaient eu l'automobile!" - Brochure - 1913

1913 Panhard & Levassor Prestige Brochure – "S'ils avaient eu l'automobile!" – Text by Paul Arosa

Up for auction is a magnificent and rare promotional brochure published in 1913 by the legendary French manufacturer Panhard & Levassor. This is not a standard manual, but a luxury "Prestige Brochure" intended for an elite Edwardian clientele.

Titled "S'ils avaient eu l'automobile!" ("If they had had the automobile!"), this album is famous among collectors for its witty "alternative history" concept. Written by Paul Arosa, it humorously reimagines famous historical events—from the Gauls at the Capitol to the Battle of Marathon—suggesting that history would have changed for the better if the heroes had driven a Panhard & Levassor.

The "Si..." Concept & Illustrations
The brochure is designed as a series of "Before and After" spreads. On the left, a beautiful black-and-white engraving depicts a historical event hampered by slow travel (horses, chariots). On the right, the text describes how a Panhard & Levassor would have saved the day.

The brochure features high-quality color lithographs of the 1913 model range, including:

Coupe Avant Torpedo (Black)

Landaulet (Maroon)

Torpedo (Grey/Green)

Commercial Van "Aux Galeries Lafayette" (A rare and highly desirable illustration of an early delivery vehicle for the famous Parisian department store).

Technical Significance: The Knight Engine

This document dates from a pivotal moment in Panhard's history. The technical specification page explicitly markets the "SANS SOUPAPES" (Valveless) engines alongside traditional "A Soupapes" models. This refers to the famous Knight Sleeve-Valve engine, a silent and smooth technology that established Panhard & Levassor as a top-tier luxury brand.

Engine photos included: 15 HP & 20 HP Sans Soupapes vs. 12 HP & 24 HP Poppet Valve.

Overall Condition: good for its age (110+ years old). Cover: The faux-wood marbled hardboard cover is bright and attractive. The gold-embossed Art Nouveau medallion ("Si...") and vertical striping are well-preserved. There is some damage to the binding and the spine, notably on the corners and edges. The original decorative cord binding is present and secure.

Interior: The pages are clean. The paper stock is heavy and creamy, showing only very mild age-toning. There is almost no foxing (brown spotting) on the illustration plates, which remain vibrant.

Inserts (Very Rare): Crucially, this lot includes the loose corporate insert ("Société Anonyme...") listing the capital (5,000,000 Francs) and addresses, including the prestigious New York branch at 1881 Broadway. This insert is often missing from other surviving copies.

Publisher: Vidal & Coqueret, Paris (1913).

Text: Paul Arosa.

Dimensions: Landscape In-4 (approx. 28 x 31 cm).

Shipping with tracking and insurance.