Motorists in De Dion automobile, 1908 New York to Paris Race

View of man speaking with motorists in De Dion car at the start of the 1908 New York to Paris Race. Handwritten on back: "The French de Dion at start of New York-to-Paris Race on Feb. 12, 1908, in NYC. The car was withdrawn from the race at Vladivostok after 8,653 miles. The three man crew was captained by M. Bourcier de St. Chaffray, official observer for the Paris newspaper, le Matin. With him rode Captain Hans Hansen, an explorer who had offered the benefit of his arctic experience to the French auto firm, and M. de l'Autan, who had been mechanician on the de Dion the previous year durng the Peking-to-Paris race. Races and racing--New York to Paris, 1908."