Rex Whistler “Radio Times Christmas Number” December 1931

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Sculptors and Bronze Founders Makers of Car Mascots Since 1910

[10] pp.

1983

8 1/4" x 11 5/8"

Stapled wraps

… Read more Sculptors and Bronze Founders Makers of Car Mascots Since 1910

[10] pp.

1983

8 1/4" x 11 5/8"

Stapled wraps

*w/ vertical crease to front cover*

Lejeune has been synonymous with first class bronze founding for over 100 years. Emile and his wife Augustine moved from France to London around 1904. As AEL, the company concentrated on small ornamental bronzes, decorative architectural fittings and, with the spread of the automobile, car mascots. Emile was not only a clever bronze worker but also a talented sculptor. It is said (Michel Legrand - Mascottes Automobiles) that a friend and fellow sculptor, Charles Paillet, sold Emile Lejeune the mascotte 'Plongeuse' and from this model Emile created his iconic mascot the 'Speed Nymph', the design for which was registered in 1917. The success of this first mascot enabled Emile to commission work from some of the best known artists of the day with many existing patterns bear the initials of sculptors such as Coffin, Renevey and Charles Paillet. It was not long before Lejeune had established itself, and by 1929 was being described as “the world's largest motor car mascot manufacturer”

Emile and Augustine separated in 1929 and Emile returned to France. Augustine and her son, Louis, took over the running of the business in 1933 it was renamed Louis Lejeune Ltd. Louis and his mother ran the company from premises at 132 Great Portland Street, London until Louis' death in 1969. The business continued until to operate in London until 1978 when it was bought by the sculptor Sir David Hughes and moved from London to Wilburton in Cambridgeshire, where it remains to this day.

Whilst the popularity of car mascots has declined over the years, the company continues to produce bronze sculptures to the highest quality using traditional materials and techniques. Sir David's son Timothy has been running the company since 1998.

Louis Lejeune Ltd. is a small bronze foundry in England, producing mainly car mascots (hood ornaments). It is the only surviving maker of custom car mascots from the art deco era of the 1920s and 1930s when many new cars were fitted with a mascot.

History
The company was founded in London in 1910 as AE Lejeune (AEL), by a French silversmith Emil Lejeune and his wife Augustine (known as "Mimi"), who had arrived in England from Paris in 1904. The company initially made small ornamental bronze sculptures and architectural fittings. It later found a market for car mascots, the first of these was probably the "Speed Nymph", the design for which was registered in 1917. Lejeune went on to commission mascots from sculptors such as Frederic Bazin and Charles Paillet. In 1926, they moved premises from Hallam Street to Great Portland Street. By 1929, AEL was being described as "the world's largest motor car mascot manufacturer". They were commissioned by leading British motor manufacturers to produce their official mascots; these included the Star, Crossley, Alvis, Rolls-Royce and Bentley.

Upon Lejeune's death in 1933, his 25-year-old son, his son took over and renamed the company, although "Mimi" was appointed chairman and managing director. In 1940, Louis Lejeune was in France during the Battle of France and did not return to England until 1945, when he replaced his mother as managing director. Louis Lejeune died in 1978, and the company passed to his English widow, Eloise. In 1978 the business was bought by the export executive and amateur sculptor Sir David Hughes. The Great Portland Street office and workshop had been reduced to a state of "Dickensian decrepitude" and Hughes moved the operation to Wilburton in Cambridgeshire where he set up a small investment casting foundry and workshop. Hughes's son Timothy has been running the company since 1998. Hughes died in May 2003 See less