185 - Vintage c. 1950s French Press Photo – 1898 Renault Type A Veteran Car at Paris Light Exposition

Vintage c. 1950s French Press Photo – 1898 Renault Type A Veteran Car at Paris Light Exposition Original vintage black-and-white gelatin silver press photograph capturing an inspection of a rare historic vehicle, dating to circa the 1950s. The image frames a technician or mechanic in work overalls examining the headlamps of an early veteran automobile. A sign mounted below the distinctive coal-scuttle nose cowl reads: "RENAULT_ Date de Naissance 1898", identifying the automobile as Louis Renault's groundbreaking Renault Type A (the very first car model produced by the manufacturer). The front of the photo features an attached French news agency typewritten caption slip that explains the unique historical context of the image: "A l'occasion de la Semaine de l'Eclairage et de la Signalisation une exposition retrospective de l'éclairage des voitures se tient à Paris. Voici une voiture Renault 1898 munie à l'avant d'un feu blanc et d'un feu vert comme le voulait un décret du 14 avril 1899." (On the occasion of Lighting and Signaling Week, a retrospective exhibition of automobile lighting is held in Paris. Here is an 1898 Renault car equipped at the front with a white light and a green light, as required by a decree of April 14, 1899.) The reverse of the photograph features a prominent black ink news agency property stamp reading: "Universal photo... PARIS-2e - LOU. 18-53", establishing its authentic European photojournalistic pedigree. This exceptional photograph serves as a brilliant crossover collector's piece, combining early automotive history with the development of public transit safety and early European regulatory legislation. It is beautifully preserved in its original newsroom archive state, showing strong contrast, rich mid-tones, and clean borders with only minor signs of vintage handling. Medium: Original vintage silver gelatin press photograph Provenance: From the inventories of Artelisted. Note on Dimensions: Media press photos measure mainly 10" x 8" and/or 7" x 9". Some minor size variances can occur due to the normal historical manipulation process. THIS IS A RESERVE AUCTION, and the final price will include a Buyer’s Premium. Please, view our full terms and conditions. ARTELISTED IS LICENSED IN THE US STATES OF FLORIDA AND TEXAS. All the items purchased through Artelisted must be shipped. We no longer offer or accept local pick-ups for any sold lots. The shipment will be made directly by Artelisted. Shipping insurance is the responsibility of the buyer. Ask us if you want to add insurance cost. Note that if there is loss or damage due to bad handling by the transporter, this loss will be assumed only by the buyer. We mainly ship via USPS Ground Advantage, UPS and Fedex International. If you do not pay during the 48 hrs after the end of the event, your credit card on file will be charged 2 days after the auction. All items must be paid in full within five (5) days of the sale date. Any lots remaining unpaid after the 5-day period will be considered and reported in default. The unpaid items may be re-sold at Artelisted sole discretion and without further notice to the original bidder. Items returned to our facility after shipping (for any reason, including undeliverable addresses or refused delivery) will be held for a maximum of thirty (30) days. To have a returned item shipped again, the buyer must pay all new shipping and handling fees. If re-shipping fees are not paid within the 30-day holding period, the items will be considered forfeited. In such cases, no refunds will be issued, and the items may be re-sold at the auction house's discretion. We have included quality images showing its current condition. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.