The archives of Patrice Besqueut have generated over 28,000 €
On July 23rd, a auction was organized in Royat (Puy-de-Dôme). Hundreds of documents belonging to the former historian of the Charade circuit, Patrice Besqueut, were being offered.
Grand Prix posters, Michelin figurines, personal archives and exceptional photos. There was something for everyone at the auction of items that belonged to the former historian of the Charade circuit, Patrice Besqueut.
The Auvergnat gentleman driver, who passed away last October, was in possession of a multitude of collectible items related to the circuit located in the heights of Clermont-Ferrand. Therefore, his wife has decided to offer them to the public.
“This is the first and only time we will see so many parts of the Charade circuit for sale,” confirms Arnaud Belzanne, a collector, to our counterparts at La Montagne. “There are objects that I had never seen before.”
Posters for over 300 euros.
Among all the items offered, there are sets of posters created for the four Grand Prix events held on the Auvergne slide (1965, 1969, 1970, and 1972). None of the posters sold for less than 300 €, but the ones that were most successful were those from the last edition. In fact, the set of 10 posters was sold for 1,450 €, which is almost three times the estimates.
In total, the 106 lots were sold for a total amount of €28,700. The important thing is not the financial result, assures Bernard Vassy, the auctioneer. This sale allowed us to have an exceptional insight into the history of a circuit that is part of the collective memory. This sale was a work of a bridge-builder.
50 years after the last Formula 1 Grand Prix on the land of the Auvergne volcanoes, the fervor and passion around this circuit are still present. The association “Agissons pour Charade” also continues to perpetuate the memory of the layout located in Saint-Gènes-Champanelle, with the restoration of one of the walls bordering the circuit.
