A 19th century photograph showcasing the first car to arrive in the north-east that was feared lost forever has been traced, thanks to the Press and Journal.
The Grampian Transport Museum in Alford last month appealed for help to track down an original print of the vehicle, which rolled into the village in July 1896.
The German Daimler was just the second car to visit Scotland, and the first in the north-east, and was photographed on Main Street with the “father of the British motor industry”, Frederick Richard Simms.
Now a family in Aberdeen have donated their original print of the photo to the museum, after spotting the appeal in the P&J.
Staff at the museum will now be able to reproduce the image and place it on the walls of the new-look £320,000 reception and visitor centre when it opens in spring.
Curator Mike Ward said yesterday he was delighted such a fitting moment in Alford’s history would be the first thing visitors would see upon arrival.
He added: “A family in Aberdeen had the picture. They had it about two years. The lady had bought it for her husband, who likes old cars, in an Aberdeen antique shop.
“She bought the P&J that day and was looking through it and thought ‘crikey, that is our picture’. It was the only lead that turned up.
“It is such an important story. It kind of places the village of Alford in the history of motoring. it is just perfect it is going to be the central part of a photo mural.”
1896 is one of the most important year’s in British automotive history and the picture also features Otto Mayer – another key figure in motoring history.
Also pictured is the owner of the car – Dr PE Howie, of Strathdon, a popular country doctor who was brought to Aberdeenshire from Syria as a foundling.
He is believed to be getting a lesson in using the machine from the pair, having just newly purchased it.
Mr Ward – who could only find a half-tone print of the image before the appeal – said they had also now identified Bon
Accord Photographic as the firm behind the picture.
Also pictured is the local coach-builder at the time viewing the future of travel, William Murray – whose descendants founded Alford’s Murray W&R Garage.