6 Jours Paris au Vel d’Hiv

This vibrant vintage poster advertises the 1952 Six-Day Race held at the Velodrome d’Hiver (Vel’ d’Hiv’) in Paris. Dominating the upper section, bold text “AU VEL D’HIV” announces the legendary indoor track as the venue from March 6 to 13. Below, a large stylized “6” loops dramatically across the page in red and gray, evoking speed and motion, while snaking race lines extend from its curve. Two cyclists plunge into the graphic swirl, their shaggy black silhouettes contrasting sharply with the number’s curves and the poster’s clean cream background. At the bottom, the word “JOURS” appears in strong red uppercase, accompanied by the sponsor “SUZE À LA GENTIANE” in deep black, giving the design a balanced, bold finish.

The race was won by the Belgian duo Achiel Bruneel and Rik Van Steenbergen, a racing pair celebrated for their track prowess. They were closely followed in second place by compatriots Gerrit Schulte and Gerrit Peters, both of whom had strong pedigrees in international six-day competition. Rounding out the podium in third were Belgian cyclist Alfred Strom, teamed with Australian Reginald (Reg) Arnold, both riding with distinction in this historic indoor event.

The poster is by Paul Ordner, an acclaimed French illustrator active between 1900 and 1969. Celebrated for his work in the mid-century promotional art scene, Ordner’s clean typography and energetic brushwork exemplify his distinctive graphic style. This lovely offering is a glimpse into the golden age of track racing at Paris’s iconic indoor velodrome.

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.