This is a collection of vintage bicycle ads. For a few brief decades of human history, just before combustion engines and motorcycles and cars burst onto the scene, the bicycle was the most advanced personal land vehicle around. Here are 20 bike ads designed in the 19th century.
Papillon bicycle by the Société française pour la construction de cycles, 1890. Artist: A. Bonnard.
American Crescent cycles, 1899. Artist: T. Ramsdell.
Clément cycles, Paris, 1890. Artist: George Moore.
Waverley cycles, Paris, 1898. Artist: Alphonse Mucha.
Dayton cycles, France, c1898. Artist: Henry Thiriet.
Cycles Papillon, c1880. Artist: Certhus.
Gladiator cycles, 1880. Artist: unknown.
Clément, 1896. Artist: Lucien Baylac.
Townsend’s Limited Cycles. Redditch. England. 1890. Artist: unknown.
Cycles Decauville, Paris, 1895. Artist: Alfred Choubrac.
Le Cyclone, 1892. Artist: Unknown.
Orient cycles lead the leaders. Waltham M’f’g’ Co., c1890. Artist: Edward Penfield.
Cycles Gladiator, c1880. Artist: Unknown.
Cycles Clément, Paris, 1898. Artist: Jean de Paleologue
Howe bicycles and tricycles, 1895. Artist: Unknown.
Déesse bicycle, Paris, c1890. Artist: Jean de Paleologue
Delizy and Poiret bikes, 1890. Artist: Unknown.
Cycles Humber, 1890. Artist: Alfred Choubrac.
Brillant Cycles, 1900. Artist: Raymond Tournon.
Cycles Peugeot, 1895. Artist: Ernest Vulliemin.
via Gizmodo, Source: Bibliothèque nationale de France, Library Of Congress, Les Silos Médiathèque,