Press Agency ROL Photography

An original silver gelatin black and white photograph by Press Agency Rol. Car race in Boulogne, France, September 21, 1913. This is a rare photograph of the Sunbeam racer driven by legendary driver Jean Chassagne during the 1913 Coupe de l'Auto in Boulogne. Features: Original Silver Gelatin Print Photograph framed. Press Photograph. Press Agency: Agence ROL Photographer: Unknown Title: Car Race, 1913. Provenance: Private collection. Frame Size: 15.75 in. high (40 cm) x 15.75 in. wide (40 cm) x 0.63 in. deep (1.5 cm). Image Size: 4.61 in. high (11.7 cm) x 6.61 in. wide (16.8 cm). Ink Stamp at the Back: ROL - Paris IXe. There is an unreadable hand-written caption on the negative at the bottom of the photograph. The hand-written caption at the back reads "Chassagne avec Sunbeam" - (Chassagne with Sunbeam). Check the last pictures for images of Jean Chassagne and images of the Sunbeam racecar of 1913. Note: Jean Chassagne (July 26, 1881 - April 13, 1947) was a pioneer submariner, aviator, and French racecar driver active 1906-1930. Chassagne finished third in the 1913 French Grand Prix, won the 1922 Tourist Trophy, and finished second in the 1925 Le Mans Grand Prix - all in Sunbeam motorcars. He finished second in the 1921 Italian Grand Prix with a Ballot, set speed records, and won races at Brooklands and hill climbs international. Chassagne was also associated with the Bentley Boys, who are known for having captured the spirit of the times, partying as hard as they worked. Larger than life, their restless and often reckless love of speed and adventure complemented perfectly the big green Bentleys from Cricklewood. As a result of his association with Bentley Motors, a Chassagne Square in Crewe was named in his honor. Chassagne applied to serve as a pilot during the Great War, but under the request of the British Admiralty, he joined Sunbeam to advise, develop and test aero engines for the war effort. (Credit: Wikipedia) The Coupe de l'Auto in Boulogne took place on 21 September 1913 as a separate event, and Sunbeam set out to defend its previous victory with three cars similar to those used in 1912. Jean Chassagne, Dario Resta, and Kenelm Lee Guinness drove the cars on a tougher course near Boulogne. Unfortunately, the team fell short of the resounding success of the previous year. Both Chassagne and Resta were forced to retire with broken rear axles, but luckily Guinness, the only team member to finish the race, saved the day by coming in 3rd, nine minutes behind the winner at an average speed of 61.45m.p.h. Results: Coupe de l’Auto in Boulogne, Sunbeam 4cyl 3L, Car no. 4, Jean Chassagne and A P Mitchell...