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

View of man talking to motorists in De Dion car in Times Square during 1908 New York to Paris Race. Typed on back: "One of France's entries in the New York-to-Paris Race. The French de Dion is shown here at the start of the New York-to-Paris Race on Lincoln's birthday, 1908, in Times Square, New York. 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 exploreer with experience in the Arctic, and M. de l'Autan, a mechanic who had been a member of a de Dion crew in the Peking-to-Paris race the previous year. This car, the last survivor of three that France had entered in the race, had to be withdrawn at Vladivostok, after 8,653 miles." Handwritten on back: "Races and racing--New York to Paris, 1908."