Photo album entitled 'The Hon. C. S. Rolls Vol 1'

MS/0221/01

1893 - 1904

A red leather-bound photographic album of 105 pages, size 32 x 42 x 8 cms, embossed with gold lettering containing private photographs of C.S Rolls’ life from his cycling days at Cambridge to racing motor cars and finally to his interest in flying. Each photograph has a description underneath in a highly stylised Gothic script which makes identifying unfamiliar proper names sometimes difficult. The smaller photographs are assumed to be taken by amateurs whilst the majority are of a high quality taken with a professional large format camera. In the majority of the photographs, C.S. Rolls is identified as the driver of the vehicle. Five handwritten sheets listing 145 items and descriptions of the album contents. Two loose photographs: Monochrome photograph 16 x20 cms of a parked Rolls car containing four male passengers outside The Royal Hotel. Monochrome photograph 11 x 15 cms described as Isle of Man. Filling the cars with petrol. No. 4 (Rolls) car leaving filler. Page 1. Contains four monochrome photographs 10 x 15 cms. Rolls off bike and on bike. Legard and Rolls Tandem, Cambridge University 1895. “The Varsity Triplets” (Kenny, Stewart and Rolls) pacing Bennet in Cuca 24 hours race, Herne Hill Track 1894. Page 2. Monochrome photograph 20 x 27 cms of four men on a four-seater bicycle. Titled: Rolls, Stewart, Kenny, Garrood. “The Cambridge Quad” 1895. Page 3. Contains three monochrome photographs 10 x 15 cms. A bike holding seven riders, titled “French Septuplet” 1895. A belt driven engine inside a building, titled C.S. Rolls Private Electric Light Plant, The Hendre, 1894. A close up of an engine with a large flywheel, titled C.S. Rolls, 3rd Otto Gas Engine, 1893. Page 4. Contains two monochrome photographs. 15 x 20 cms. C.S. Rolls Private Electric Light Plant, The Hendre 1894. Also size 7 x 10 cms, close up of an engine, titled Quadraple Expansion Launch Engine, Santa Marta R.D.S. Page 5. Single monochrome photograph 23 x 30 cms of a vintage car with a single driver, assume C. S. Rolls. Titled C.S.R. First car 3¾ hp. Peugeot driven prior to the passing of the 1896 Act. raising the road speed to 14 mph. Page 6. Similar photograph to above, size 15 x 20 cms. Page 7. Similar photograph as above, 24 x 29 cms but with driver and passenger following a man with a red flag. Page 8. Similar photograph as above, 18 x 24 cms but with three passengers and a driver. Page 9. Contains six monochrome photographs, 7 x 10 cms. Two showing the 3¾ hp. Peugeot 1896 in pieces, a 4 hp. Panhard 1895 type, Two photographs of C.S. Rolls’ 1¼ hp. De Dion tricycle, 1897. One photograph with a two wheeled bicycle and a tricycle, titled Redwood and Garrood. Page 10. Four monochrome photographs, 7 x 10 and 10 x 14 cms showing C.S. Rolls pictured on his 1¼ hp. Dion tricycle, 1897. Page 11. Contains a single monochrome photograph 20 x 28 cms of two men on a mechanical tricycle, titled 4 hp. Bollée. Mr. A. T. Paul and C.S. Rolls, 1895. Page 12. Two photographs 7 x 10 cms, C. Rolls on a 4 hp. Bollée and 8 hp. Panhard winner of the Paris Marseilles 1896. Page 13. Single monochrome photograph, 10 x 15 cms titled C.S. Rolls 8 hp. Panhard, winner of the Paris Marseilles race 1896. First 4-cylinder car ever constructed. Page 14. Two photographs 15 x 21 cms of the above car converted into a Wagonette. Page 15. Single photograph 18 x 25 cms of a street filled with cars and people descried as inauguration of the Automobile Club of Great Britain & Ireland, 1897. C.S. Rolls car at the front. Page 16. Photograph, 15 x 23 cms, pictures C. S. Rolls standing in front of a tricycle and two motor cars, titled C.S. Rolls, and his “Stud” 1898. Page 17. Contains three photographs, 7 x 10 cms and 10 x 15 cms of 6 hp. Panhard imported by C.S. Rolls. First car fitted with wheel steering in England, 1898. Two other photographs show the mechanism of the above vehicle. Page 18. Contains three photographs, 15 x 20 cms of 6 hp. Panhard imported by C.S. Rolls. First car fitted with wheel steering in England, 1898. Two other photographs 7 x 10 cms show the 8 hp. Panhard owned by C.S. Rolls, 1898, winner of Richmond Trials Hill Climb Driving Competition. Coupe de Perigorde. Also Alfred Velghe known as Levagh winning the Paris to Toulouse race 1898. Page 19. Selection of seven photographs 6 x 9 cms showing different events in Rolls’ motoring career. C.S Rolls 8 hp. at Crystal Palace, Rolls and Johnson, Paris to Boulogne1898, Paris to Ostend race and winner of the hill climbing competition Richmond Show 1898. Page 20. Single photograph, 17 x 22 cms showing a street scene with several cars, titled start of Bordeaux to Biarritz race, 1899- C.S. Rolls the car in front and Mr. Firth second. Page 21. Single photograph 16 x 23 cms of arrival of C.S. Rolls car winner of tourist section Bordeaux to Biarritz race 1899. In the picture: C.S. Rolls, A. W. Millership and J. W. Staplee-Mirth. Page 22. Single photograph 17 x 23 cms of C.S. Rolls’ car No. 66 winner of the Bordeaux – Biarritz race tourist section, 1899. Page 23. Two photographs 7 x 10 cms showing C.S. Rolls on A. Harmsworth’s Columbia electric carriage, the first imported to Great Britain. C.S. Rolls stud of cars, 1898. Page 24. Single photograph 24 x 28 cms a winter scene with a single motor car with driver and three passengers. Titled: Messrs. Mark Mayhew, F. W. Hutchinson, A. Russell and C.S. Rolls at the completion of the winter run from Paris to London, 1899. Page 25. Single photograph 24 x 29 cms of R. W. Wallace, E.C.F. Butler and C.S. Rolls in latter’s 8 hp. Panhard, Christmas 1899. Page 26. Four photographs, 7 x 10 and 10 x 16 cms showing the first 12 hp. Panhard imported to England, C.S. Rolls and Mr. Ashby starting from Southampton to London,1900. C.S. Rolls and Mr. Campbell Muir in the same car. C.S. Rolls’ Panhard winner of Gold Medal 1,000 miles trial 1900. 1,000 miles trial – arrival at Bath first day. C.S. Rolls’ Panhard 1st and Cage’s Napier 2nd. Page 27. Four photographs 7 x 10 cms showing the 1,000 miles trial of 1900. View of Manchester Exhibition 1900. Page 28. Seven photographs 7 x 10 cms taken during the 1,000 miles trial 1900. 1900. Page 29. Single photograph 24 x 29 cms shows numerous cars at Edinburgh Exhibition, 1900. Page 30. Three photographs 6 x 8, 7 x 13 and 9 x 15 cms showing C.S. Rolls’ arrival at York and the completion of the 1,000 miles trial with C.S. Rolls’ 12 hp. Panhard leading. Page 31. Contains five photographs, two 12 x 16 cms completion of the 1,000 miles trial and three photographs 7 x 10 cms showing speed trials at Melbeck and coming down Shapfell 1,000 miles trial. Page 32. Consists of five photographs 7 x 10 cms showing speed tests during the 1,000 miles trial. Page 33. Consists of six photographs 7 x 10 cms showing speed tests during the 1,000 miles trial. Page 34. Two photographs, 7 x 10 and 17 x 21 cms showing the 12 hp. Panhard at the Automobile Club Tour, 1900 and the Automobile club meet at the Vendee, Autumn 1900. Page 35. Three photographs 15 x 20 cms illustrating the Prince and Princess of Wales riding on C.S. Rolls’ 12 hp. Panhard, the winner of the 1,000-mile trial, 1900. Page 36. Consists of four photographs sizes 6 x 7 and 10 x 15 cms of prizes won by C.S. Rolls, the Peugeot Voiturette, a Peugeot engine and M. Fenatzy on “La Farmars Contente”. Page 37. Contains two photographs, 7 x 10 cms and 14 x 20 cms. The smaller one titled C.S. Rolls’ Peugeot Commemoration run to Southsea, 1901. The other shows a close-up of Rolls’ Peugeot Chortorette with Rolls at the wheel and one passenger. Page 38. A single 22 x 28 cms photograph shows a side view of a car containing a passenger and a driver in a street scene set up as a photographic studio. The caption reads: Colonel Mark Mayhew and C.S. Rolls on the first 4-cylinder Napier, 1901. Page 39. Contains three photographs, 16 x 20 cms, and two 7 x 10 cms. The larger shows C.S. Rolls and Col. Mayhew on a Napier in a flood, 1900. The other two show C.S. Rolls’ Locomobile, 1901 and a 50 hp. Napier., 1902. Page 40. Shows C.S. Rolls’ 24 hp. Mors, 1902 with Rolls driving and a dog as a passenger. (15 x 20 cms) The two smaller photographs are of C.S. Rolls’ 24 hp. Mors 1st car used on manoeuvres, 1902, with General Douglas and the 6hp. Renault. Page 41. Two photographs 15 x 20 cms, illustrate a Balloon ascent, 1902 and C.S. Rolls driving a 4 hp. 1902 Panhard with two passengers. Page 42. Four photographs 7 x 10 cms shows various views of C.S. Rolls’ 24 hp. Panhard at Aldenham in 1902. Page 43. A high-quality professional photograph 22 x 29 cms shows C.S. Rolls driving a 10 hp. Panhard in 1902. Page 44. One 7 x 10 cms photograph illustrates C.S. Rolls on a bicycle geared to 180. The other two photographs 12 x 17 cms show C.S. Rolls at the start of the Paris to Berlin race in 1902 and during the race. Page 45. Five photographs 7 x 10 cms illustrate various incidents which happened on the Paris to Berlin road race in 1902 including a visit to Ranelagh gymkhana. Two of the photographs also contain handwritten letters one in French and the other in English. Page 46. A 22 x 28 cms photograph of a frontal view of C.S. Rolls and a passenger in a 60 hp. Mors car in 1902. Page 47. A 22 x 28 cms photograph showing installation of machinery in Lillie Hall, Fulham in 1902, Rolls’ first workshop and car show room. Page 48. A 22 x 28 cms photograph showing Lillie Hall with a selection of imported Panhard motor cars in 1902. Page 49. A 22 x 28 cms photograph showing C.S. Rolls & Co. first exhibition in Agricultural Hall, 1902. Page 50. Consists of two 15 x 20 cms portrait photographs of C.S. Rolls sitting at an office desk. Page 51. A 22 x 28 cms posed photograph of The Crown Prince and Princess of Romania on C.S. Rolls’ 10 hp. Panhard. Page 52. The two 17 x 12 cms photographs illustrate C.S. Rolls’ 80 hp. Mors car at the start of the Paris to Vienne race in 1903, and a side view of C.S. Rolls sitting in his 24 hp. Panhard in 1903. Page 53, 54 and 55. These pages show a collection of ten 10 x 14 cms portrait photographs of C.S Rolls in various locations, in his office, at the workshop working on his cars and at home. Page 56. A 15 x 20 cms photograph show a picture of a car wreck titled accident to Count Zborozkt, in Nice, 1903. Page 57. A 16 x 30 cms photograph of C.S. Rolls & Co. stand at Crystal Palace Show, 1903. Page 58. As above but taken from opposite direction. Page 59. Shows a single photograph, 9 x 15 cms of an early Panhard car shown by C.S. Rolls & Co. in 1903. Page 60. This 22 x 28 cms faded photograph shows C.S. Rolls sitting in his 80 hp. Mors record breaker of the Worlds Kilometre Record, 1903. Page 61. Contains three photographs: the smallest at 6 x 11 cms shows the record beating Mors as above. The next, 8 x 14 cms is a portrait of three men in formal dress and white bow ties, assumed to be C.S, Rolls in the middle and his brothers either side of him. The third photograph, 16 x 24 cms is a portrait of C.S. Rolls in a bowler hat standing next to a 20 hp. Panhard in 1903. Page 62 and 63. Both photographs are 22 x 28 cms and illustrate C.S. Rolls & Co. stand at the Agricultural Hall in 1903. Page 64. Four small photographs, 7 x 10 cms and 10 x 14 cms are illustrations of the type of cars that are available at C.S. Rolls & Co. stand at the Agricultural Hall. Page 65. A photograph, 8 x 12 cms shows a 7 hp. Panhard, the first car fitted with a Krebs carburettor in London. The other photograph, 14 x 20 cms is an illustration of a 10 hp. Panhard with a Brougham top. Page 66. These five 6 x 9 cms photographs show various incidents that happened on the Gordon Bennett route in Ireland in 1903. Page 67, 68 and 69. This selection of nine photographs approximately 10 x 13 cms, all illustrate the Napier Racer eliminating trials for the Gordon Bennett race in 1903. Page 70. This 14 x 20 cms photograph illustrates C.S. Rolls’ Panhard Racer in the Paris to Madrid race in 1903. C.S. Rolls is pictured at the wheel with a passenger. Page 71. As above but taken at a different angle. Page 72. This 11 x 15 cms photograph shows the 80 hp. Mors car with touring-hood outside Pitmaston House, 1903. Page 73 and 74. These two pages contain 22 x 29 cms size photographs of the stock of cars in Lillie Hall, Fulham in 1903. Page 75 and 76. These two 22 x 29 cms photographs shows Lillie Hall decorated for a reception in 1903. Page 77. This 22 x 29 cms photograph shows celebrities attending Lillie Hall reception in 1903. Page 78. This 15 x 21 cms photograph shows the machine workshop at Lillie Hall, 1903. Page 79. This 22 x 29 cms photograph is a group portrait of the employees at Lillie Hall, 1903. Page 80. One photograph 9 x 16 cms shows three Napier cars entered for the Gordon Bennett race in 1903. Two smaller photographs 7 x 10 cms show ‘Cabrielle’ in the Gordon Bennett race 1903. Page 81. This page consists of two photographs 12 x 18 cms showing Camille Jenatzy winning the Gordon Bennett race, and a portrait of him sitting in his winning car in 1903. Additional pictures, 9 x 15 cms and 10 x 13 cms show the Dashwood Hill Climb, 1903 and Stocks’ Napier also 1903. Page 82. Consists of three photographs, 15 x 20 cms and 10 x 16 cms showing various stages (including the start and finish) of the Phoenix Park, Dublin race of 1903 with C.S. Rolls driving his Mors Racer. Page 83. These two photographs 16 x 19 cms show the match for the 50 Guinea Cup, Hatton versus C.S. Rolls at Phoenix Park, 1903. The other picture illustrates a 100 hp. Mors car at Phoenix Park. Page 84. These two photographs 16 x 19 cms show the match and the finish of the 50 Guinea Cup, Hatton versus C.S. Rolls at Phoenix Park, 1903. Page 85. This page consists of three photographs, 14 x 23 cms and 7 x 10 cms showing C.S. Rolls with his 80 hp. Mors car at the Castlewellan Hill-Climb in 1903. Page 86. These two photographs, 13 x 23 cms and 7 x 10 cms show C.S. Rolls’ 80 hp. Mors and a Wolseley Racer at Castlewellan, 1903 and C.S. Rolls’ Napier Racer at the Dashwood Hill Climb, 1903. Page 87. This 15 x 20 cms photograph illustrates C.S. Rolls’ 80 hp. Mors starting the two miles Speed Trial in Cork, 1903. He was declared the winner. Page 88. This single photograph, 15 x 20 cms shows two cars at the start of a race competition between Montagu and Rolls in Cork, 1903. Page 89. This 25 x 30 cms photograph is a portrait of C.S. Rolls sitting in his 80 hp. Mors Racer, winner of various events in Ireland in 1903. Page 90. This 25 x 30 cms photograph is a portrait of C.S. Rolls and His Grace the Duke of Manchester sitting in the 80 hp. Mors that the Duke has just purchased. Page 91. A single 13 x 22 cms photograph contains three miniature pictures of C.S. Rolls, 80 hp. Mors cars. Page 92. A single 23 x 28 cms photograph shows C.S. Rolls sitting in his 15 hp. Panhard car in 1903. Page 93. This 23 x 28 cms photograph is a close-up of the dashboard of the above car. Page 94 & 95. On the first page are two photographs 7 x 10 cms of C.S. Rolls in his 10 hp. Panhard on autumn manoeuvres, 1903. The second page shows a 15 x 20 cms photograph of General Baden-Powell, C.S. Rolls and two other passengers on Rolls’ 10 hp. Panhard. (Autumn Manoeuvres, 1903) Page 96. A panoramic photograph 23 x 28 cms of the review of the Motor Volunteer Corps by Field Marshall Lord Roberts in 1903. Page 97. A side view photograph, 17 x 23 cms of C.S. Rolls and a passenger in a 100 hp. Mors Racer, 1904. Page 98. A side view photograph, 15 x 20 cms of C.S. Rolls sitting in a 7 hp. Panhard car in 1903. Page 99. A vignetted photograph 23 x 28 cms of C.S. Rolls sitting in a 100 hp. Mors Racer, 1904. Page 100. This page contains two photographs. The first is a staged photograph, 12 x 18 cms of a man dressed as a police officer (believed to be C.S. Rolls) interviewing a man dressed in a heavy fur coat. The picture is titled, C.S. Rolls and F. Moore-Brabazon Esq. The second photograph, 7 x 10 cms shows C.S. Rolls and a female in a 15 hp. Panhard in 1903. Page 101. A single newspaper cutting photograph, 23 x 28 cms of The Prince of Wales, Archduke Frederik, and General Methuen on C.S. Rolls’ 24 hp. Panhard in 1904. Page 102. A 15 x 20 cms photograph shows the Duke of Connaught on a 10 hp. Rolls-Royce in 1904. Page 103.This page contains four 7 x 10 cms photographs of the first 10 hp. Rolls-Royce car at the summit of Haytor, Dartmoor in 1904. Page 104. A single photograph 17 x 25 cms shows C.S. Rolls’ Mors racer starting at Portmarnock Speed Trials in 1904. Page 105. A single photograph, 15 x 22 cms shows C.S. Rolls’ Mors and Mr. Rawlinson’s Darracq at Portmarnock in 1904.

105 pages

English

Science Museum, London

Open Access

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