BENZ / GERMANY

 

BENZ / MANNHEIM / GERMANY ( 1886 - 1926 , later MERCEDES BENZ )

The German automobile pioneers Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz laid the foundations for motorized transport. On July 3, 1886, BENZ presented what was probably the world's first automobile to an astonished public.

 And here comes a rare prewar emblem from Germany`s most famous car producer BENZ before it became MERCEDES - BENZ in 1926.

BENZ radiator emblem

 

But the first BENZ cars had no emblem:

1896 BENZ VELO  (collection Christoph Schmidt )

The first advertisements were also rather boring, in particular no automobile was depicted:

1907 advertisement in an Austrian magazine

In 1910 the famous BENZ emblem was patented:

first use claimed for 1909

The very first emblems were enameled in blue. The leaves of the laurel wreath have not yet been enameled ( see also patent drawing). There are 3 laurels buds at the bottom center.

Size	7.3 cm
Year	1909 - 1910
Estimate

Photo of the BENZ stand at the 1907 Paris Motor Show. Emblems are not visible on the cars.

 

The new sans serif with only one bud at the bottom was used from around 1912.

Size	7.3 cm
Year	1912 - c.196
Estimate

 

One of the most wanted emblems for collectors:

BENZ radiator emblem in classic b/w color and enameled leaves

Size	7.3 cm
Year	1911 - c.1916
Estimate

 

 

flat backside of the emblem shown above but with makers mark from CH. LAUER NÜRNBERG

 There were variations of this famous emblem:

 

backside of an original emblem, but no makers mark

 

BENZ also sold automobiles in Italy:

 

1912 advertisement for the Italian Market

1913 advertisement for BENZ ROMA still with old font type

There was also a special BENZ ROMA emblem:

 

contemporary photo showing the round BENZ SÖHNE emblem ( photo collection Thomas Ulrich)

 

1914 BENZ radiator with exceptional shell, on top with emblem

Also from 1913/1914 onwards, BENZ offered the optional V - shaped radiator, which had become fashionable, to its vehicles:

the auxiliary headlights do not stand at an angle by mistake because they were intended to illuminate the curves ( and co-steering headlights had not yet been invented ) .

The sans serif font with 2 buds at the bottom from around 1914 onwards. No more enamel for the laurel wreath.

Size	7.3 cm
Year	1914 - 1925
Estimate

backside without makers mark

1921 exposition showing the new BENZ with v - shaped radiator

1924 color ad: the whole family loves the BENZ

I found several ads at once, which I do not want to withhold from you because of their beauty, celebrating the merger of BENZ and DAIMLER.

In the first advertisements after the merger of Benz and Daimler, both previous emblems were still visible:

 

1926 advertisement still with two emblems

1926 advertisement

Two emblems and a young lady. What do you want more ?

 

In 1906 Carl Benz left the company he had founded und built automobiles under the trade mark BENZ und SÖHNE. For BENZ und SÖHNE information please click here.

 

For other  emblems  see older posts or top right of this page ( list of car makers ).

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