EDWARD PENFIELD (1866-1925) ORIENT CYCLES / LEAD THE LEADERS. Circa 1895. 42 1/4x28 1/2 inches, 107 1/4x72 1/4 cm. J. Ottmann, New York. Condition B+: repaired tears and restoration in margins and along vertical and horizontal folds; small replaced losses in side margins; unobtrusive foxing spots in margins and image. Edward Penfield is universally considered to be the first major homegrown American poster artist. As Art Director for Harper's (from 1891-1900), it was his idea to issue monthly, small-format posters promoting the publication. The posters were so popular that many other "little magazines" followed suit. Large posters are quite rare amongst Penfield's work (and among Turn-of-the-Century American posters in general). With this design, Penfield amply proves that his work functions well in a large format. Two overprints exist, the other advertises branches in "New York, Brooklyn and Newark." Reims 1279, Margolin p. 184, Bicycle Posters 66, Kiehl 174, Art Nouveau p. 199, Maitres 1900 p. 220, Resnick 1, Avant Garde 111.
