1938 Vintage French Cycling Poster, Paris-Tours

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About The Poster: I occasionally buy posters just because they appeal to my quirky side (the largest side of my … Read more About The Poster: I occasionally buy posters just because they appeal to my quirky side (the largest side of my personality) - like this one.

I've always been fascinated by the idea of long distance cycling races kind of like a bunch of modern gladiators on two wheels. Endurance, bad weather, equipment malfunctions... what more could a mad cyclist wish for?

A little history from Wikipedia:

Paris–Tours was first run for amateurs in 1896, making it one of the oldest cycling races in the world. It was organised by the magazine Paris-Vélo, which described it as, “A crazy, unheard of, unhoped for success”. It was five years before the race was run again and a further five years (1906) before it became an annual event for professionals...

The 1921 edition had blizzards. Half the field abandoned in Chartes. The winner, Francis Pelissier punctured late in the race; his hands frozen, he tore the tyre off the rim with his teeth... "

In 1938, the year this poster was produced, the winner of the Paris-Tours was Italian Jules Rossi, riding an Alycon Dunlop bike.

An exceptionally rare, perfect gift for a cyclist.

In very good condition. Ready to frame. See less