piloti che gente

I have a Enzo Ferrari signed copy of piloti che gente, second edition in English 1983 and was wondering what it is worth. I bought it back in the mid 90's and it is in very good condition, as bought.

 

Welcome! A great book, for sure!
Check our sponsor, Albaco.....for the various values of the five Printings.

Make sure the signature isn't a stamp.

Does it have any personal endorsement written also, or just his signature???

Looks like they have the special Cartier version (red dust jacket w/photo), and a 1985 English printing, for $225

 

I have it on good authority (i.e. someone who used to work for Enzo personally) that there never was a Ferrari stamp, so I'd be interested to know more about this. However, there are fakes, so still Caveat Emptor.
But, I am also told that many of the cream cards were printed with Enzo's signature, and then a typed message was added. (Maybe that's where the idea of a signature stamp came from)
Nathan

 

You are correct, I didn't mean a "rubber stamp" as much as some publications emulated his signature as part of the book printing process???.....my reason for asking about any additional verbage...

 

You're correct. Some brochures, for example, have his purple signature printed inside. The "big red book" also has his autograph printed in the front. This has led some to think that these items were personally signed by Enzo.
Nathan

 

I have seen a lot of these purple signatures over the years, not just printed in brochures and books (clearly part of the printing), but also showing up in mass mailings of letters, notes, X-Mas cards, bigliettini da visita (business cards), etc; my money is that there were rubber stamps floating around.

However, the harder to verify signatures are those that clearly appear to be hand written: Though some are truly Enzo's, many (if not most) were signed by his assistant.

 

Alex - 2 questions
1) How does one tell the difference between a rubber stamp and a proper signature?
2) What evidence is there that "many (if not most)" were signed by his assistant?
Nathan

 

Hi Nathan,

It's just that when you've seen a dozen or more in various places such as the business cards, the ones that are often stapled with the mini-staple, to yearbooks, books, or other factory "presentation" items, and all of them are identical in size and shape, it can only be a stamp.

As far as the signatures being done by the assistant, it is just something that has been rumored for many years, including by insiders (I've heard it from a couple of people who visited the factory more than once in the period around the 60s and 70s). Is there any notarized proof? No, sorry. And I'm not claiming that anyone would be able to tell which is which and/or assign a different value. It's just one of those things one hears. If someone tells me they have a Christmas card signed by Enzo and the card wasn't sent to someone of significant importance, I'd be suspicious that Enzo signed it himself; I just can't imagine him signing 2,000+ cards every Christmas.

I would just suggest that if someone offers to sell an item "signed" by Enzo himself, be cautious and use some common sense to determine if him taking the time to sign it himself was likely and plausible. Ex: "Buon Natale caro Luigi" hand written and addressed to Luigi Chinetti, I'd say yes, likely. One that is on a stamped note, sent to a generic recipient, or worse yet, stapled to a brochure, book etc., I'd say no, not likely.

From my standpoint, if I was to sell something with his signature, I'd rather err on the side of caution and say I can't prove authenticity, rather than pass it as authentic just because no one can prove otherwise.

Much of this stuff isn't cheap... ...Caveat emptor

 

Alex
Interesting post. All I can tell you is that I have been told (in fact I have it in writing) by someone who worked very closely with Enzo for more than 20 years that there never was a rubber stamp.
There was one in the 30s, but as you can see from this scan, rubber stamps are easy to spot. They always come out uneven, just as this one has.

I've never heard of anyone inside the factory signing Enzo autographs. I don't think it happened. Enzo was quite capable of sending books etc to people without a signature; I have seen many unsigned business cards attached to books, brochures etc. So if he was happy to send out unsigned items then why have someone faking them? Doesn't add up.
Although, there are definitely fake Enzo signatures. Done by scammers who have got hold of an item and then added the signature, but not, in my opinion, faked in the factory.

I'm not saying you're wrong, just what I've been told and what I've seen. But I do agree ... Caveat emptor.

Nathan

Below is a Ferrari rubber stamp from the 30s. That it is a rubber stamp is obvious and difficult to disguise.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

There are two different editions of this title in the current auction (ending tomorrow) at l'art et l'automobile.

Fairly priced (to start with!!)...IMO.

Good luck!

I have purchased from this guy, (here in Texas) it's "real stuff'.......

 

Jacques is first rate. Have you been to his place in the hill country?

 

I was trying to make it up with my Ducati ST3 to the Harvest Classic in Luckenbach.

A vintage motorcycle rally, and Omar and the Howlers were playing.

I had that weekend mapped out with an Art Show Friday from his collection, and the Rolling Sculpture car show in Sunday south Austin.

Valeria's Mom crashed in on us and knocked the whole weekend off the table.

I never did find a motorcycle trailer and the run all that way on the bike would have been a dangerous adventure given the traffic on I10.

He has invited me more than once and I will make it one day!!!
You shout out next time you're in Austin.