La Française / Dupré – World Champion

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

A stunning 1909 Parisian poster from legendary bicycle tire manufacturer Hutchinson, issued to promote its brand and celebrate Victor Dupre’s two major victories that year that included him being crowned French National Champion followed by the gold medal at the World Track Cycling Championship in Copenhagen.

Dupre enjoyed a solid career as one of the most feared track sprinters in the world. Included in his global footprint was a podium spot at the 1907 New York 6-day race.

An interesting side note; Dupre was 19 years old when he lined up to compete in the inaugural running of the 1903 Tour de France. The first stage from Paris to Lyon, 467km/312miles, ran through his hometown of Roanne. The local fans packed the streets in anticipation of Dupre’s arrival. It seems he never showed up. Physically strong but woefully mechanically unprepared, he abandoned the race during the stage due to punctures.

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.