?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 10,000 - $ 15,000
DESIGNER UNKNOWN CYCLES GLADIATOR. Circa 1895. 37 1/2x 52 inches, 95 1/4x132 cm. G. Massias. Condition B: expertly recreated bottom margin and upper left corner; repaired tears, creases and overpainting in margins and image; unobtrusive vertical and horizontal folds. During the 1890s, when bicycles were one of the most advertised products in the poster world, the fantastic concept that a bicycle was powerful enough to propel a rider into space was used surprisingly frequently (see Swann Auction #1945, lot 59 and Swann Auction #1991, lot 41). This is the most spectacular of all the posters, mixing science fiction and surrealism with turn-of-the-century eroticism, showing a naked, beautiful woman with extravagant red hair, being pulled through the cosmos by her bicycle (considering the role censors played in poster advertising, it is unusual that this image passed inspection). The spokes sparkle like stars and two little wings on the bicycle pedals add to the kitschy charm and surrealist nature of the image. Although the poster is signed "LW," it is still considered anonymous, as the only possible LW is Lucein Weiluc, and this does not appear to be his work. Reims 154, 100 Bicycles 42, Dodge p. 117, Voici p. 11 (and cover), Gallo p. 97.
