Vélodrome d’Orléans, c. 1920s, Only Known Example of this Original Poster

Dynamic original French poster advertising the Vélodrome d’Orléans, the cycling track located at 33, quai du Roi on the Loire riverfront in Orléans. The design is composed of bold, flat-color shapes: two track cyclists fill the lower half of the image, one in deep blue and yellow in the foreground, the other in darker tones just behind, both crouched low over their handlebars in a sprint. A rich red background and narrow blue border frame the action, while large cream lettering at the top reads “VÉLODROME d’ORLÉANS” with the address set at upper right. In smaller type, the poster notes that the velodrome is the property of the Union Cycliste d’Orléans, reflecting that the track was owned by the local cycling club created from the merger of the Club vélocipédique d’Orléans and the Société vélocipédique du Loiret. The velodrome itself was inaugurated in 1922 as a 200-meter outdoor wooden track with steeply banked turns designed for high-speed racing, and it hosted events through the 1920s. With its strong graphic style, limited color palette, and expressive depiction of track racing, this poster is an excellent example of early twentieth-century French cycling promotion. This is believed to be the only known surviving example of this poster. This poster has been archivally and professionally linen-backed. Virtually all original vintage posters of this era were viewed as temporary advertising and were printed on fragile, thin paper. While expensive, linen backing is a conservation method used to mount, stabilize, preserve, and protect vintage posters, allowing them to be displayed or framed without compromising their value. This poster is an original first printing, not a reproduction. Year: c. 1920s Artist: N/A Printer: N/A Size: 57.5 x 79 cm ( 22 ½  x 31 inches) Posters are sold unframed. Framed images are display ideas only. This is a one-of-a-kind item; please review the photos carefully to determine the condition. This item is listed on multiple platforms, and availability is subject to prior sale elsewhere.