In the first weekend of December, a remarkable auction took place in the historic town of Ladenburg, a place with strong ties to Dr. Carl Benz. Organized by Marcel Seidel Auctions, Automobilia-Ladenburg captured the attention of automobilia enthusiasts worldwide with more than 2463 lots available.
Marcel Seidel, an expert in the field of automobilia, said that the winter auction far exceeded his expectations. With more than 80 bidders in attendance, plus more than 100 telephone, 420 online and 500 advance bids, the auction was a global affair. Seidel emphasized the importance of direct contact with customers and the meaningful connection with Ladenburg, a city closely linked to Benz's history. He described the live auction as a family event, held within the historic walls of the old Benz factory, stating that it is a truly unique event that takes place twice a year.
Seidel reported an 80% sales rate during the auction, with the expectation that this would increase to approximately 90% after the post-auction sale. Highlights of the auction included an original engine block for a Porsche 911 S/T, which sold for €59.520, and a unique collection of 20 Ferrari annuals from 1949 to 1970, which sold for €26.200. A rare double-sided lithographed 20s Fiat dealer signal exceeded expectations with a retail price of €17.856, and a folder containing color and finish samples for special body editions, including rare Ferrari colours, sold for €10.118. A tool bag for the sought-after Mercedes-Benz 300SL also changed hands for €9.523.
The auction took place on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 December 2023, from 10:00 AM to 19:00 PM in the Dr. Carl Benz Automuseum in Ladenburg, where Seidel and his team took just a short 30-minute break. More highlights and dates can be found on the official Automobilia-Ladenburg website.
Automobilia-Ladenburg – Marcel Seidel Auctions has been active since 2000 and focuses on automobilia in Ladenburg. The company has developed a successful segment for automotive and technical parts, including rare items and one-of-a-kind pieces, to ensure they can always offer a fascinating auction catalogue.