Handwritten note on the duration of tenure of Citroën executives

In this document

This handwritten sheet lists several executives and key figures of Citroën, with dates and a calculated duration of tenure for each.

The figures listed

• André Citroën: "from 1919 to 1934", i.e., "15 years" p. 1.
• Pierre Michelin: "died 29 Dec 37", duration indicated "3 years" p. 1.
• Pierre Boulanger: joined in "Dec 1937", "Died in 1950" on "11 Nov.", for "13 years" p. 1.
• Pierre Bercot: from "1950" to "24 June 1970", i.e., "20 years"; an arrow points to crossed-out or barely legible names, "Boneder" and "Rollier" p. 1.
• André Lefebvre: entry date uncertain in the manuscript ("1988 ?? 1933"), died in "June 1964", duration noted "< 31 y[ears]" p. 1.
• Paul Magès: joined in "August 1925", until "Sept 1974", i.e., "49 y[ears]" p. 1.
• Flaminio Bertoni: only the name is written, without any associated date or duration p. 1.

The document contains several crossings-out and arrows, a sign of cross-referencing or correction work in progress p. 1.

Context

To situate these names — outside the document itself: André Citroën is the founder of the brand; Pierre Boulanger was its iconic leader during the Occupation and the post-war period, notably at the origin of the 2 CV; Pierre Bercot succeeded him at the head of the company in the 1950s-1970s; André Lefebvre was a major engineer and automotive designer (Traction Avant, DS); Flaminio Bertoni the stylist of the DS and the Traction; Paul Magès the inventor of the hydropneumatic suspension, who joined Citroën in August 1925 at 17 and a half years old and retired in September 1974, after a 49-year career (autobiographical notes ; photographs of retirement). These general biographical elements do not appear in the sheet and are recalled here as a reference point.

Archivist's perspective

This document appears to be a working note, probably drawn up by Paul Magès himself or on his behalf, seeking to summarise the career durations of the great figures of Citroën — perhaps with a view to a testimony, an article, or a comparison of his own path with that of his colleagues p. 1.

The figure of "49 years" attributed to Paul Magès p. 1, much higher than that of the other executives cited, corresponds exactly to the duration of his career at Citroën as established by the collection — from August 1925 to September 1974 — and suggests that this sheet aimed to highlight the exceptional longevity of his own commitment.

The absence of dates for Flaminio Bertoni and the crossings-out around the name of Pierre Bercot indicate an unfinished document or one in the process of verification, rather than a piece intended for publication.