Commissioned by French entrepreneur, Count de Dion, and built by Georges Bouton and Charles-Armand Trepardoux, the 1884 De Dion steamer was nicknamed ‘La Marquise’ after the Count de Dion’s mother. Measuring just nine feet in length, ‘La Marquise’ features twin compound steam engines, ‘spade handle’ steering and seats four people ‘dos-a-dos’ (back-to-back). The seats are located on top of the steel tank, which holds 40 gallons of water, good for about 20 miles; its sophisticated boiler, fed by coal or coke, can be steamed in 45 minutes.
 

With just four owners from new, including 81 years in single ownership, La Marquise boasts an impressive provenance – it was a participant in the first automobile race in 1887, clocking a top speed of 37 mph on the straights, and a double award-winner at the 1997 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. A fully functioning car, it recently successfully completed four London to Brighton runs in the UK where it was always the first car away as the oldest entry. ($ 2,000,000-2,500,000).

The De Dion leads an impressive roster of over 115 cars and a select range of memorabilia for the RM Hershey sale.  Held during the famed AACA Eastern Regional Fall Meet in Hershey, the sale boasts a strong track record for early, brass-era automobiles, achieving an unprecedented 100% sell-through in 2010.

The sale will also feature a fascinating collection of early electric vehicles, including a 1903 Columbia Electric Surrey, the only known survivor ($ 70,000-90,000); a rare Swiss-built 1905 Tribelhorn Electric Brougham (Est. ,000 - ,000); and an unusual 1913 Argo Electric Fore-Drive Limousine ($ 100,000-150,000).

More at www.rmauctions.com