C S Rolls and A Bird finishing the Paris-Boulogne Race, 1899.

Photograph taken from an album of images compiled by Charles Stewart Rolls (1877-1910), English motorist, motor car manufacturer and aviator. Rolls founded Rolls-Royce Ltd with Sir Frederick Henry Royce (1863-1933) in 1906, creating one of the world's most famous marques. Rolls was well known on the motor racing circuit, competing in many of the races of the time. On this occasion; 'due to no Tourist clas existing in this race, Rolls' chances were negligible and he consequently came last in his category'. He was also a keen aviator, and was the first to make a non-stop double crosing of the English Channel by aeroplane.