Velodrome de Rennes, Cycles Gladiator Poster, c. 1890s

Vélodrome de Rennes – Ouvert Tous les Jour
Rennes Velodrome – Open Every Day

This charming lithographic poster promotes the Vélodrome de Rennes, Cycles Gladiator, and the clothing house À la Grande Maison, in Rennes, France. A bright red and deep blue background frames a fashionable couple riding a tandem bicycle, the man in short trousers, patterned shirt, and flat cap, the woman in a billowing green split cycling skirt and orange blouse, her hair flying in the wind as they speed along. A small dog runs excitedly beside them, adding a playful touch. At the top left, a large yellow ribbon reads “Vélodrome de Rennes, Ouvert tous les jours,” while the clothing shop’s address, “1, Rue de Toulouse, Rennes,” is printed along the upper edge. At the bottom, the word “Gladiator” is repeated, highlighting the association with Gladiator bicycles.

Gladiator was one of the important French bicycle makers of the period. The Gladiator Cycle Company was founded in 1891 by Alexandre Darracq and Paul Aucoq at Le Pré Saint Gervais near Paris and became part of a larger industrial group with Clément and Humber that produced bicycles, tricycles, quadricycles and later motorised vehicles.

The Vélodrome de Rennes itself is part of a long sporting tradition in the city. Rennes has maintained a velodrome, known in modern times as the Vélodrome de Rennes or Stade du Commandant Bougouin, among its principal sports facilities. The venue has been used for cycling and other events, and, more recently, has even hosted football matches when local clubs needed a larger or alternative ground, such as Coupe de France fixtures relocated to the Vélodrome de Rennes. This poster captures an earlier era in that tradition, when the track promoted itself as “open every day” and used joyful cycling imagery to attract both riders and spectators.

With its tandem couple, racing dog, rich red-and-blue colour fields, and finely handled decorative lettering, this poster is a lovely example of French cycling and commercial art from the velodrome era in Brittany, and a delightful piece for any cycling collector.

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: c.1890s
Artist: Théodore Rauch Jr.
Imprimerie des Arts et Manufactures, Lith à Rennes

Size: 40 x 30.5 cm ( 15 ¾  x 12  inches) – Linen Backed Archival Mounting

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.