Monte Carlo and the Rally

In 1911 the place to be seen was Nice, on the Mediterranean coast.  Monte Carlo did have its share of wealthy visitors but the Carnival in Nice and the Paris-Nice race attracted by far the majority.   The success of the race, a "concours d'élégance", led people in Monaco to the idea of starting their own rally.

To make it different from the others, they decided to have it starting in different European cities, including Geneva, Paris, Brussels, Berlin, and end up in Monaco.  It was to be for standard tourism class cars and not specially designed racing cars.  The winner was not to be the first past the post but points were awarded for distance, for speed (up to 25 km/h or 15 mph), for elegance, for comfort, for "aesthetic appreciation", amongst others.  Source.

This year was its centenary.  The first race was held in January 1911.  These postcards, although not showing the rally, date from roughly the same period.  They were produced by Jean Gilletta who opened a photographic studio in 1880 and in 1897 became a postcard publisher, ironically though, in Nice.  They are part of a booklet of 10.

Monaco was the ancient port of Hércule founded by the Phoenicians, a fortified peninsula which for a long time commanded the passage through this part of the Mediterranean Sea.  The Genoese established themselves in the 13th century and the Grimaldi family have been the rulers ever since. The Palace, the Cathedral, the Oceanographic Museum are the main monuments of the old Monaco, held within the 17th century fortifications. [from the introduction to the book of postcards]

Because of the casino there, Monte Carlo was a "new" town created in 1866 under the auspices of Prince Charles III who gave it his name. This town is as well known worldwide as many much older cities. From all  points of the globe, people flock to Monte Carlo where opera performances, comedy, classical concerts, pigeon shooting , various competitions such as motor boat racing are organized  in royal fashion.  No other town can offer such a beautiful set of daily attractions, sports, arts.  [Also from the introduction to the book of postcards].

A post for the celebration of the 100th Sepia Saturday.