James, bring the Roller around
Image by fossiled
And don’t forget to polish the ‘Speed Nymph’. Although used on many early English and some European upscale cars in the early days, it is presented here, in situ, in it’s most traditional home.
Arriving in England in 1904, French silversmith Emil Lejeune and his wife Augustine incorporated a small foundry specializing in brass figures, and objects, as AEL Limited, and added car mascots, registering this ‘Speed Nymph’ design as it’s first, in 1917. It has had a number of variations over the years, including sporting a long scarf, but this is the original design. By 1929 AEL (Lejeune Foundry) claimed to be the world’s largest car mascot maker, and produced the factory hood ornaments used on such British upscale marques as Alvis, Bentley and, of course, Rolls Royce. They are still in business, a very lucky thing for restorers of 20s and 30s classic cars.
Double click on image to enlarge.
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