A motor tour of Scotland, 1914 1914

Curator: At first glance, this looks like a well-preserved artifact. Editor: Indeed. This is Leslie Hamilton Wilson's "A Motor Tour of Scotland," from 1914. It's a small book, only about 8 by 13 centimeters. Curator: The texture of the cover is striking—like fine leather. There's a sense of luxury to it, even in its compact size. The gold lettering is also very eye-catching. Editor: Absolutely. The book's existence speaks to the rise of motoring as a leisure activity for the privileged class in the early 20th century. What stories of gender, class and power does this "tour" silently record, I wonder? Curator: Considering it was created just before the outbreak of World War I, it's hard not to see the shadow of impending conflict. Perhaps a bittersweet memento of freedom before the world changed. Editor: A poignant thought. It reminds us that even travel, seemingly carefree, is always embedded in social, political, and historical contexts. Curator: It's a small object, but it opens up a whole world of questions. Editor: Precisely. It's a reminder of how objects, even personal ones, can reflect broader cultural shifts and anxieties.