Cycling/ Exhibition/ Velodrome/ Wrestling/ Fencing/ Mountain - Lot 97

Cycling/ Exhibition/ Velodrome/ Wrestling/ Fencing/ Mountaineering/ Horseracing/ Paris 16th/ Rue Pergolèse Original lithographed and canvas-backed poster in TBE (122 x 80 cm). By the talented and highly productive Lucien Lefèvre (1862-1895). Lively poster giving the best idea of the program for this "Exposition Internationale de Cycles et Sports, à la Plaza de Toros, 58 rue Pergolèse, opening March 12...". While cycling is at the heart of the program, we're astonished to discover a fine juxtaposition with mountaineering (hello climbing wall), horse show jumping, wrestling in medals and boxer shorts, and fencing, of course with a heart-stamped breastplate. A swirling image, just like the belle époque in its infancy. Very decorative. Built in 1889 in the 16th arrondissement, around the Exposition Universelle, the Plaza de Toros, with a capacity of over 20,000 spectators, was, as its name suggests, the temple to bullfighting intended by its Spanish promoters. There were 28 bullfights in 1889, the first half-year, 41 in 1890, then the prefect's ban on killing precipitated the decline, with only 26 simulacra in 1891, and bankruptcy, despite the rescue attempt with the 1892 International Exhibition, which was supposed to turn the page on the bullfighting adventure. Alas, on this Saturday, March 12, 1892, frozen in the bitter cold, only 800 people turned out to watch the lamentable bicycle races on a flat 130 m track. Antony, H. Farman and Girardin give it their all, but it's not enough. The "incompetent" organizers, according to "La Revue des Sports", sounded the death knell for the Plaza with this "lame and pointless" enterprise. Only the poster is a success, alas insufficient to avoid the wreckage. On another positive note, the marvellous young Henri Farman (1874-1958) forged some of his success here in the terrible Michelin nail-biting Paris-Clermont-Ferrand race that was to follow.