The Ferrari Collection of Jean-Louis Bezemer.

Nathan's synopsis of the latest Ferrari book releases.

A closer look at some beautiful Ferrari scale models.

I was asked recently, “What are Ferrari ‘presentation’ books?” And it’s a good question as the term ‘presentation’ could mean different things, such as, are they real books for presenting something, or are they the clear pocket display folders? What exactly are they?

In the context of Ferrari books the term is used to describe books produced by Ferrari, and written by Enzo Ferrari, to be given away by Enzo Ferrari personally, such as “Le Mie Gioie Terribili” and “Piloti Che Genti”. 

Although the yearbooks were generally give-aways, until their re-emergence in 1989 as commercially available products, they are not usually termed ‘Presentation’ books. The Presentation books are usually those with Enzo Ferrari’s name attached to them, as they were mainly autobiographical. (That is, presenting Enzo’s version of his life story.) 

So, using this criteria let’s start in 1962 (all text is in Italian);

“Le Mie Gioie Terribili”: 

1st Ed.  – Nov. 1962 Bologna, Publisher: Marabout

2nd ed. - Dec. 1962 (with DJ), 

3rd ed.  - Jun. 1963 (with DJ) 

Note: from 1964 there we also editions in French, English etc but these were commercial editions. 

“Le Mie Gioie Terribili, due anni dopo” (My Terrible Joys, Two Years Later)

4th Ed. – Dec.1964 (with DJ)

5th Ed. – Nov. 1965 

6th Ed. – Nov. 1966

Copies of LMGT should be $100-$200, but it is easy to find copies with no DJ, and many of those with DJ are tatty. 

“Le Briglie del Successo” (The Bridle of Success)

1st ed.  – Mar. 1970 (It. red boards with yellow DJ), 268 pages, 8.5” X 11.75”

2nd ed. – Nov. 1970 (It. yellow hard cover, no DJ).

Price should be $400-600. A bit more with Enzo signature but nowhere near the $4500 one joker on the i/net is asking.

“Ferrari” (aka " The Big Red Book") 

Nov. 1974 - (It.) 253 pages.

Note; this book has a printed Enzo Ferrari signature on the top of the title page. Some vendors try to sell this “hand-signed by Enzo Ferrari” It isn’t!

Price should be $400 – 500.

“Il Flobert” 

Nov. 1976 (It.) Officine Grafiche Modena, c.120 unumbered pages.

This unusual book has a cork cover! Yes, really! It is not autobiographical but is Enzo’s notes and comments about 53 noted Italian journalists. Il Flobert was a dart gun, and Enzo’s fires his barbs but asks “You won’t use your artillery against me, will you?” There’s no doubt that he was sensitive to criticism and quite often replied to the journalists and newspapers that had a go.

Price should be $750 – 900.

“Ferrari 80”

1st ed. – Nov. 1979 (It.) plain cover, no DJ. 230pgs - (1000copies)

2nd ed. – Dec. 1980 - (3000copies)

3rd ed. – Dec. 1981 - (2500copies)

2nd and 3rd eds. are both hardcover with picture of Enzo, no DJ. 242pgs. 

The 1st edition is the rarest and should be $400 – 500. The other editions are much more common and should be $150 – 250.

“Piloti Che Gente…” (Drivers, What People)

“PCG” deviates from the autobiographical style as it is Ferrari’s memories and comments on race drivers from 1908 when Ferrari attended his first race at 10 years of age. Not all the drivers written about were Ferrari works drivers – eg Brabham, Piquet etc. However Ferrari still recounts his impressions. 

1st ed. - Nov 1983  (It) - greyish/beige cover no DJ, 359 pages.(2500 copies)

2nd ed.  - Sep 1984  (English) edition (greyish/beige cover no DJ) Industrie Grafiche Arbe 1984. 360 pages. Limited edition of 2500 copies, but it's believed that there were more than 2500 actually published, and that this number was copied from the Italian 1st edition. 

3rd ed. - Dec 1985 (Italian) edition (red cover with rectangular painting of red vintage car, no DJ) Conte Editore , Bologne, Italy 479pp.

4th ed. - Dec 1987 Italian edition (blue cover no DJ). This is the rarest edition as it was only available for eight months and then it was withdrawn when Enzo died in August 1988. Very rare, especially when signed!

5th ed. – Nov 1989 Italian edition (blue cover no DJ), with preface by Piero Ferrari. The 4th and 5th edition front covers are visibly the same, except for the “Quinta Edition” splash.

There was also a commercial edition in various languages; Jun 1987 Cartier Foundation edition, English, French & German (red with a DJ) Although it says “First English Edition 1985” inside it was actually produced for the Cartier “Hommage à Ferrari” exhibition in 1987. As it says on the last page, “Printing finished in June 1987” 

PCG  should be $100 – 250 except for the 4th edition, which will be much more expensive if you can find one.

Note: Do not confuse this book with a booklet of the same name, published by Autosprint, and which some chancer is offering on Ebay for a ridiculous $195 !!

If a book has an Enzo Ferrari business card stapled inside then this will usually command another $50-100. However beware, I’ve noticed a proliferation recently of books being offered with Enzo Ferrari business cards, but they are not stapled in the book. This is very unusual. These cards are obviously very easy to replicate so I personally am wary. Although books with Enzo business cards are naturally more attractive for the collector – caveat emptor. 

Also, watch out for Ferrari Compliment slips with books. If these are loose then be suspicious. They are usually stapled in the book, and although not always signed usually have some greeting in Italian in the famous purple ink.  

The vendor will sometimes use the addition of the card or Compliments slip as a reason to ask a premium price, but in actual fact all you are buying is a book and a business card which if purchased separately would be a lot less. 

Books signed by Ferrari obviously fetch a premium. But don’t forget that the signature is easy to copy, so provenance is important. It pays to buy from a reputable seller, not just someone who turns up an Ebay with a deal too good to miss. As always - caveat emptor.