1913 Standard Landalette

Photo deliberately "spoilt". If you would like an unspoilt version, contact the Webmaster

Len Barr writes again by email from Cirencester:

Please find attached another photograph and article on the Standard that the Boy Scouts gave Baden-Powell.  As far as I know this photograph has not been used before.  If you decide to put this article on the web pages please acknowledge the original source of the photograph: "Boy Scouts Association - Press Department"

In 1912, the founder of the Boy Scouts, Robert Baden-Powell, married Miss Olave St. Clair Soames.  All individual members of the Scouting movement were invited to subscribe to a wedding present.  Individual Boy Scouts were limited to one penny each and Scoutmasters to one shilling each.  By March 1913, a total of £411  14s.  1d.  had been collected towards what was popularly known as 'B.P.'s Penny Wedding Present.'  It was decided to buy a motor car and their choice fell upon a 1913, 20 H.P. 6-cylinder Standard Landaulette. 

It is sad to reflect, that very few of these elegant, formal, Edwardian Standards survive.

The Webmaster adds:

Thanks Len, lots more articles are welcomed.

I find that the photo has been published on the web before, on a site dedicated to photographic records of the Baden Powells. I'm a little confused as to how this car was paid for, since £411 was only a part contribution for a car that probably cost over £600. Does anyone know where the additional sum came from?

Other sources imply that the car was in fact a wedding present for Lady Baden Powell,  as Lord BP already had a Rolls Royce and considered it was the only car he could afford (meaning it cost him so little in repair) If anyone has any more information to contribute,  please add it to our Messageboard.