Cycles Wonder, W. Russell Tires, Presents its 1924 Valiant Defenders
Cycles Wonder Pneus W. Russell vous présente ses vaillants défenseurs pour 1924
This beautiful early twentieth-century poster presents the Cycles Wonder – Pneus W. Russell professional road team and their “valiant defenders” for the 1924 season. Nine riders appear in oval portrait medallions around a bold yellow Wonder star, including Jules Van Hevel, Maurice De Waele, Denis Verschueren, Léon Scieur, Hilaire Hellebaut, Odiel Taillieu, Émile Thollembeck, Henri De Jaegher, and J. Pelletier, all in matching Wonder jerseys.
Featured in the center, Jules Vanhevel was a leading Belgian classics specialist. He won Paris-Roubaix 1924 riding for Wonder-Russell Cycles. Teammate Maurice De Waele later won the 1929 Tour de France.
At the bottom a yellow panel titled “1923 Quelques succès” lists a full season of long-distance victories, including Bruxelles-Luxembourg 263 km, Paris-Bourganeuf 408 km, the first stage of the Tour de Belgique 298 km, Grand Prix de l’Escaut 250 km, Arlon-Ostende 350 km, Grand Prix du Touring Club de Milan 294 km, Nancy-La Meuse 185 km, Paris-Chauny 241 km, Grand Prix du Vélo Club Roannais 220 km, Circuit de l’Ain 168 km, Circuit du Mont-Blanc 200 km, and Grand Prix de l’Industrie à Anvers 180 km. An excellent snapshot of Wonder’s strength on the road.
Printed by Affiches Gaillard in Paris and Amiens, the poster combines rich brown and gold tones with crisp typography, giving it a distinctive, elegant aesthetic.
For collectors of early racing memorabilia, this piece brings together a historic brand from Saint Étienne, an all-star Belgian team. It is equally at home in a bike room, office, or gallery wall.
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 very 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.
This poster is an original first printing, not a reproduction.
Year: 1924
Artist: N/A
Société Nouvelle – Affiches Gaillard – Paris, Amiens
Size: 60 x 80 cm (23 ½ x 31 ½ inches)
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.
Recent Comments