Solved ropat#61: Michel Zélélé Count Albert de Dion's chauffeur

[nicanary]

I would guess from the clothes of the spectators that this is no later than 1955, probably earlier. It's just a case of working out which celebration it was.

Is there a connection with motoring, or is it unconnected in any way ?

[ropat53]

Before 1955 and yes connected with motoring.

[nicanary]

Anything to do with the re-opening of Le Mans in 1949 ?

[ropat53]

No Le Mans connection and earlier.

[4popoid]

Perhaps a chauffeur associated with Ettore Bugatti?

[ropat53]

No the person he chauffeured was 25 years older than Ettore Bugatti.

[4popoid]

Perhaps a chauffeur associated with Philippe Pétain?

[ropat53]

yes connected with motoring.

No not Philippe Pétain, by the time this picture was taken the Maréchal had already been found guilty of treason and was imprisoned.

[Otto Puzzell]

An anniversary or re-enactment of the 1894 Paris–Rouen race?

[ropat53]

Anniversary yes, but not something that happened in 1894, but very close and not a race.

[Bill Murray]

50th Anniversary of the Paris Motor Show??  1898-1948.

Bill

[ropat53]

50th Anniversary of the Paris Motor Show??  1898-1948.
[/s]
Bill

Between the last two suggested dates but very close to the first one.

[pnegyesi]

50th anniversary of the Automobile Club de France 1895-1945
The man is named Zelele, he was the chauffeur of Cmte Albert de Dion

Original caption:
En 1945 a Paris, place de la Concorde, devant l'ACF (Automobile Club de France) le marquis Albert de Dion (qui a fonde l'Automobile Club le 12 novembre 1895) et son chauffeur abyssin Zelele, au volant de la Clement de Dion 1898 du Museon di Rodo (Uzes) --- In 1945 in Paris, marquis Albert de Dion (who founded Automobile Club de France on november 12, 1895) and his driver Zelele driving the 1898 Clement

[Otto Puzzell]

Now that was a fine group effort! 

[ropat53]

Yes that's right.
Please forgive the poor Google translation:

"Michel Zélélé son of a great Ethiopian leader was brought to France in 1896 by Henri d'Orléans, explorer prominent at the time. Zélélé literally fell into a swoon when he saw a car for the first time in his life.
The Comte d'Orleans recommended Michel Zélélé to a friend, Count de Dion. So at De Dion-Bouton he learned driving and mechanics with such passion that he became in 1900 the personal driver of the Comte de Dion. Besides his boss, he had the opportunity to drive many personalities, including King Leopold II and learned to drive to Belle Otero. What could be more normal so that it appears in photos and on official posters of the brand ...
After the death of the Marquis de Dion (now Marquis the death of his own father), entered the Zélélé Andre Vallut Service, one of the constructors of the Paris metro. Such record holder, he flew the De Dion-Bouton for over 50 years."

[Bill Murray]

Marvelous story, Ropat and thanks for this very interesting bit of history most of us would have otherwise never have known about.

Bill