There are few good books on collecting automotive literature and they are little more than reference material. Tom Solley's extraordinary work is as entertaining as a good novel and his personal insights will spark off a new enthusiasm for literature collecting among all automotive hobbyists.

The first impression is overwhelming. It is large, heavy, has a finely crafted binding and has soft-to-the-touch cloth covers. But it gets better. You will be surprised with the beautiful photographs and detailed descriptions. Tom wanted to share his collection with others and you will find he has put a lot of love into doing just that. Presented here are all the great brochures printed prior to World War II, laid out before you in a format that you cannot view at a museum or library. Caution: You will not find these exotic treasures at Hershey, Carlisle or on eBay. Even at McLellan's Automotive History, we have had only about 20% of the contents of this book in our 50 years in business. And those were bought by Tom Solley.

Over the 30 years that Tom and I were friends, we discussed the development of this book. He leaves us with a great legacy. Enjoy it. Thanks Tom.

CONTENTS Prestige, Status and Works of Art, Selling The Luxury Car 1888 - 1942 Thomas T. Solley, 2008 Chapter One: 1888-1900 Cars and sales catalogues as icons and status symbols Automobile Catalogues Chapter Two: 1901-1915 Certain body types: Mark of prestige and motoring as a leisure pursuit Automobile Catalogues Coachwork Catalogues Chapter Three: 1916-1926 Coachbuilder as promoter: Interesting makes and models known only to connoisseurs Automobile Catalogues Coachwork Catalogues Chapter Four: 1927-1932 Fleeting, beauties; exotic makes, and coachbuilding Automobile Catalogues Coachwork Catalogues Chapter Five: 1933-1972 Car as Sculpture: The catalogue remains a status symbol as only the strong survive Automobile Catalogues Coachwork Catalogues

Readers of The Automotive Chronicles are entitled to a 30% discount, courtesy the publishers 'Racemaker Press', on orders placed up to June 30, 2010. Shipping / handling is extra -- $8.00 Media Mail; $12.00 Priority Mail domestic US. To invoke the discount, please call Racemaker Press on 617 723-6533 and mention the 'Automotive Chronicles' discount. You may also order via regular mail. Write to Racemaker Press, 39 Church Street, Boston, MA 02116, and don't forget to mention the 'Automotive Chronicles' discount. If you have any questions, please contact the publishers here.

Thomas T. Solley - A short biography
Thomas T. Solley [1924-2006] had four passions from early childhood -- cars, catalogues, archaeology and photography. His professional life began in architecture, which he pursued as a project engineer in his family's pharmaceutical company and then in private practice. At mid-life, his interest in ancient art and museums led to an M.A. in Art History and eighteen years as Director of the Indiana University Art Museum. During this period a new museum building, designed by I.M. Pei, was built and the collections greatly enlarged to become a major cultural resource in the Middle West.

In retirement, he compiled Rolls-Royce and Bentley (1931) Sales Literature 1905-1965 published in 1991 and was working on "Yves Tanguy: the Pre-Surrealist Years", an incomplete manuscript researched some years ago, but delayed on account of the demands of the Museum's development.

Epilogue
Tom compiled this book, as a follow-on the above referenced Rolls-Royce and Bentley bibliography, during the latter years of his life. Sadly, he did not live to see its publication -- although it was in final layout at the time of his death. He would have been pleased to see his passion reach fruition.