Cycles & Accessoires Griffiths 1898
Buy this print on Etsy →Graceful and spirited, this 1898 poster advertises Cycles & Accessoires Griffiths in a design by Henri Thiriet, one of the accomplished poster artists of the French Belle Epoque. It belongs to the celebrated era of bicycle advertising, when the cycling craze swept Europe and manufacturers competed for attention with flowing, decorative posters that turned two wheels into a symbol of freedom and modern life.
Thiriet worked in the ornamental Art Nouveau manner that defined the 1890s poster boom, an idiom of sinuous lines, harmonious color, and elegant, eye-catching composition. Bicycle posters of the period sold not just a machine but a mood of liberty, health, and fashionable leisure, and this design belongs squarely to that graceful tradition. As a period piece it evokes the optimism of turn-of-the-century France, when the bicycle was a thrilling emblem of progress and the poster was its perfect advertisement.
Every print is a faithful fine-art reproduction, color-matched to honor the original's decorative palette. We produce it on museum-grade 189gsm archival matte paper using pigment inks, so the colors stay vivid, the linework stays crisp, and the sheet resists fading for the long term. The smooth matte finish gives the design a gallery-quality presence while preserving the charm of the vintage original.
Five sizes let you tailor the piece to your room: 8x12, 12x18, 16x24, 20x30, and 24x36 inches. Smaller formats are perfect for a home office, entry, or framed cluster, while the larger sheets make a lively focal point in a living room, garage, or hallway. The elegant, sporty look feels at home in a cyclist's den, a bike shop, a games room, or any interior that loves vintage advertising with movement and flair.
It also makes a great gift for cycling enthusiasts, Belle Epoque fans, and collectors of vintage advertising posters. Framed in warm wood or clean black, it brings instant character; grouped with other bicycle and sport prints, it builds a dynamic, story-rich gallery wall.
The flowing beauty of 1890s bicycle posters remains among the most beloved graphic art of its age, and this design carries that decorative charm into a modern setting. Its elegant movement enlivens a room instantly, whether it hangs in a cyclist's retreat or simply adds grace to a hallway. Collectors treasure Belle Epoque advertising for its blend of artistry and everyday commerce, and this one captures that spirit beautifully. Displayed solo or among other vintage sport prints, it evokes the exhilaration of the open road and the golden moment when the bicycle became a symbol of freedom.
Each poster ships rolled in a sturdy protective tube, arriving flat and ready to frame at home. Please note this is a newly produced reproduction made for modern interiors, not an original antique or period printing. What you receive is a crisp, archival-quality art print that carries the elegant energy of Belle Epoque cycling onto your wall for many years of daily enjoyment.
