Athletics/ Walking/ Sport for All/ Petit Matelot - Lot 6

Athletics/ Walking/ Sport for All/ Petit Matelot Moving original photo (studio Branchu, 11 rue Radziwill, Paris) of a competitor in the "Marche du Petit Matelot" on November 8, 1903. This bib 3003 is that of Alphonse Bellot, from the novelty department store "Les 3 Quartiers" (near the Madeleine). This 40 km event, starting from Bagatelle (50,000 spectators at the start), running to Versailles and back, finishing at the Parc des Princes (organized by L'Auto), mobilized some 3,800 participants, only 1,428 of whom were classified, alas not our lad (unless we're mistaken). Winner Harlet, a civil servant, covered the distance in 3:58. The reputed Fantou, who had taken the lead, had fallen ill. Couratin and the eclectic Barroy were Harlet's immediate followers. All three were necessarily wearing the 9f50 leather shoe supplied by Mr. Paquin's "LE Petit Matelot", manufactured by Borrel (this prestigious company, founded in 1790 on the banks of the Seine by Mr. Ratier, is probably the world's oldest manufacturer of sports equipment. After equipping the Garde Impériale, then Maurice Garin, it also supplied Cousteau, Picasso and Isabelle Autissier). This race-walk was epic, with all results published in "L'Auto", and a ranking for 19 socio-professional categories. Perhaps the first major popular event. 16.5 x 10.5 cm. TBE.