[Pascal Amouroux]. Hommage respectueux du personnel des Etablissements Amouroux f^res à la mémoire vénérée de son Chef : Pascal Amouroux. [A respectful tribute from the staff of Etablissements Amouroux bros. to the cherished memory of their Director: Pascal Amouroux]. [Toulouse, 1916]. Album in-4°, Japanese paper. Title page, obituaries from the press pasted on the reverse, [25] pp. of signatures, 5 blank pp. Black Bradel-style morocco, two riveted metal fittings on the upper cover forming the initials A. P., inner gilt wheel, black silk on pastdowns, gilt edges, tobacco-coloured shagreen slipcase, the covers and interior lined with black silk.

344 employees signed up in order of joining the company, from 1898 to 1915: 1 in 1887, 2 in 1890, 1 in 1892, 1 in 1893, 4 in 1894, 5 in 1896, 1 in 1898, 9 in 1900, 5 in 1901, 6 in 1902, 8 in 1903, 8 in 1904, 7 in 1905, 5 in 1906, 10 in 1907, 12 in 1908, 14 in 1909, 18 in 1910, 7 in 1911, 10 in 1912, 21 in 1913, 14 in 1914, 175 in 1915 (production of war material).

Pascal Amouroux, the young son of a farmer from the Ariège region, born in Tourtrol in 1852, founded his company in 1873, together with his brother Hippolithe, specialising in the manufacture and sale of agricultural tools. In 1890, the first factory was established on the outskirts of Toulouse’s historic centre. Then, in 1892, Amouroux launched the production of a new product, ‘the Hirondelle’, billed as ‘the world’s best mower’. The first advertising poster, which extolled its ease of use, showed the machine being pulled by just two swallows. The “Nouveau-Siècle” tedder and rake, the “Gauloise” harvester and the new “Alouette” combine harvester with bearings on steel rods followed. The brand quickly became famous. Following the death of Pascal Amouroux in January 1916, Maison Amouroux was converted into a public limited company in 1919 and took the name Etablissements Amouroux Frères. Between the two world wars, production diversified and new factories were established north of Toulouse, in Croix-Daurade, complementing those already in place at Pré-Catelan. Production reached 1,500 machines manufactured in 1923 by 800 workers, before a decline began in 1930, leading to the closure of the business in 1957.

Binding slightly rubbed, top corners crushed, silk of the slipcase worn

A touching witnesses.

600 €