Cycles Andru, c. 1890s

This poster is an original first printing, not a reproduction.

This is a Belle Époque period French advertising poster for Andru Cycles from the 1890s. This is a wonderfully made stone lithograph featuring an elegantly dressed woman in the center foreground of the image. A winding road extends out behind her, with fields and the outline of a town in the background, creating a picturesque country scene. The use of both realistic details and fluid curving lines coupled with bold block typography creates a classically Belle Epoque period advertising poster. This poster was created by the artist Dourzinelle.

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 so they can be displayed or framed without compromising value.