Friday 10 September 2010

The Need for Speed

A 'demon of speed' riding a Terrot bike, faster even than a train, with time to wave to his friends on the bridge as he speeds off to exciting adventures.

This is a postcard of a poster from the 1920s from the manufacturer Terrot. They manufactured both bicycles and motor bikes and their posters always accentuated the freedom of two wheels, travel and tourism.  More of  Terrot's posters here

Terrot started out in Germany as a machinery manufacturer starting a branch in Djon in 1887 where in 1890 the factory added bicycles to its products. The 20th century brought their first motorbike in 1902.  At the time of this card they were producing 250cc machine with a 2 speed gearbox, powered by a British JAP engine.  The largest motorcycle manufactures in France for the most part of the 20th century, their bikes won many races and they even ventured into motorised bicycles in the 1930s, but were eventually taken over by Peugeot in 1958 and by 1961 all production had ceased.

I cannot find any information about the artist of the poster, signed Nick (the back of the card refers to him as Nyck but I think he may have used both signatures);  possibly worked for an advertising agency in Paris as there are other posters by him such as

Our hostess of Postcard Friendship Friday is Beth at The Best Hearts Are Crunchy

10 comments:

dakotaboo said...

I've always loved these early posters - these 2 are especially good. Happy PFF.

Snap said...

The early posters are so interesting and the colors so different from the modern. Interesting information. Happy PFF

Christine H. said...

The graphics are so beautiful. The lettering, the colors. I would love to see one of those motorcycles in person.

Sheila @ A Postcard a Day said...

I think they must have been using those faster-than-train bikes to get to Le Touquet so fast!

Postcardy said...

Must have been a slow train.

Life Goes On said...

Beautiful post card thanks for sharing

Aimee Dars said...

Nice! Posters of that era are so phenomenal!

Beth Niquette said...

Hahaaa...the first postcard really hit a funnybone with me--the drawing is incredibly good--but if he were going as fast as that train, I doubt he'd have time to wave at the bikers on the overhead bridge--without losing his balance! lol LOVE these postcards!

Happy PFF!

Lyneen said...

Wonderful works of art... love the "motocyles" poster... Thanks for Sharing... Happy PFF

aj.posts said...

I love these postcards! always puts a smile on my face :)