Donald E. Toms, Bugatti Bookseller

By Pete Vack

Sometime last year I determined that we needed to add more books on Bugatti to our library, and went looking for a book called Bugatti Memories by Gene Cesari, a reference I found in the latest ABC Register. It entailed a search on the Internet, and that was how I eventually stumbled onto one Donald E. Toms, in Florida, who handled the Cesari book. An email address was listed as don@bugattibooks.com and soon we were in touch.

Now, don’t figure that since his email is attached to bugattibooks.com, that there really is a bugattibooks.com website. There isn’t. Don does not have a site. And yet Don believes he “…can furnish a greater variety of Bugatti titles than any other bookseller in the world.” Except maybe Amazon.

Take that, Jeff Bezos!

A website is planned for the future. But one wonders, is that a good idea? Not having a website today is really unique, almost classy. It is thought, said, inferred, or otherwise ordered, that if one does not have a website for your business it simply does not exist. And if no links are provided to a Twitter, Facebook, or above all, particularly for a bookseller, an Amazon.com presence, is it very difficult for one to conduct transactions in the 21st century global economy.

Well, nonsense. Donald E. Toms, Bookseller, ignored such essentials, and seems to do very well in the old-fashioned manner of telephone numbers, printed catalogues, and mailing address via United States Postal Service. And as he is under the digital laser beam of Amazon, whose favorite pastime seems to be ensuring the death of booksellers, Toms remains blithely unaware of the creepy controlling of Bezo’s business. It is as if Amazon.com never existed.

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As a concession to at least the 20th century, Toms does, however, own up to an email address, and promptly answers all inquiries electronically as well. Come to find out he also uses PayPal, which is very handy indeed. And when I inquired about the Cesari book, like any online bookseller, Toms also suggested that I might like The Bugattis of Jean DeDobbeleer, also available. And, the Cesari/DeDobbeleer books are on sale for a very reasonable $85 for the pair.

And how did I know he was trustworthy? After all, if one doesn’t have a website, what else might be amiss? Back to the good ol’ days. Of all things, two rather interesting acquaintances, H. Don Capps and Patricia Yongue told me that they would be having lunch with Don on their way to doing a bit of research at REVS in Naples. Surely any friend of theirs would be intelligent, responsible, honest, prompt and all those human attributes that often fail in a zero and one format. And indeed, all was true.

He also has a position with Vintage Motors in Sarasota Florida, which provided this brief bio: “Born and raised in Ohio, Don currently resides as a semi-native of 20 years in Bradenton FL. His role at Vintage Motors not only involves sales, but he is also relied upon for his invaluable knowledge and insight on the history and characteristics of almost all aspects of the classic car and vintage car trade. When Don is not enjoying spending time with his family, he is likely to be found researching or writing something regarding his latest classic car escapades. Don’s appreciation for a wide range of cars is obvious, but his favorite car marque is Bugatti.”

In the beginning there were books…

Having been a “car guy ” and bibliophile since toddler, Don has had many classics, particularly Caddies, back in the day when they were just used cars. One he recalls with pleasure is a Talbot Lago T26, a very attractive Record Saloon, which played a small role in Automobile Quarterly’s history of the cars of Anthony Talbot, V23 number 4.

Like many of us, he began to collect books. And books and books about Bugatti seemed to be predominant. As he approached retirement, he found that his library contained quite a few duplicates. Why not sell those to help with new purchases? Thus began a second career which has been most rewarding, not from the modest monetary aspect but for all the many clients around the world who have become fast friends.

One might think that the catalogue is just for the high end books…and they are there, like the magnificent Larsen/Erickson Saoutchik four volume set and Philippe Etancelin’s Grand Prix Summum, an archival look at his racing career by way of photos and rare documents, but there are a lot on sale or reasonably priced books, some for as little as $12.

And now, books and prints

When I received his catalogue, got lost in the vast array of delicious motoring books that include other marques than Bugatti, then noticed that on the last page of the catalogue were a series of covers from a variety of French magazines from the 1920s and 30s. Most were from L’Illustration’s “L’Automobile e Le Tourisme”, and the selection was mouthwatering as were the prices low. Plus, the sizes, colors, 80 lb stock and finish all said, this would be fun. So we ordered up six of our favorite covers (the choices of covers, sizes, and settings is remarkable) and soon enough the 11 by 14s arrived safely and well packaged (not rolled). Now to find the wall space for them.

But don’t take my word. Holler him up via phone at 941-727-8667 or email at don@bugattibooks.com, get a catalogue, and our guess is that you’ll find something of pleasure almost immediately.

Below is his page of explanations of the magazine cover offer:

Having collected copies of L’Illustration’s “Automobile et Tourism” issues over many years and enamored of the covers done by major illustrators of the day, I had always thought that it would be nice to share these automotive art works with others who would appreciate them, such as yourself.

The “thumbnail” images represent the covers and some inside pages that are now immediately available. All of these can be furnished in any size desired from poster on down. The 14 X 11 inch format closely approximates the original magazine size and in an Itoya art folio makes a great coffee table book. For your library, consider a folio of 11 X 8.5 inch prints. Each folio contains 24 plastic sleeves which permit up to 48 views. All prints are on heavy, 80 pound cover stock for quality and ease of framing if desired. A print matted and framed makes a beautiful piece of art for any room.

The set of twenty-four cover 14 X 11” prints enclosed in an Itoya presentation folio, $75.
Set of 24 covers, loose in box, $ 60. Additional prints with either set, $2.00 ea.
Individual prints : Minimum order, four for $ 18. Five or more, $ 4 ea.
For 8.5 X 11 inch prints, deduct 33% from above prices.
Custom sizes: Any size desired but keeping original proportions.
Shipping at actual cost, usually within five days.
Works of a particular artist such as Geo Ham or Alexis Kow, or ads for particular marques such as Bugatti , Hispano-Suiza, etc., can also be furnished on request.

Here are a few examples of the covers.