Plate: PL. 152

"Bradley was an all-around craftsman who worked as printer, lithographer, designer, publisher and, of course, posterist. His work is characterized by decorative borders or backgrounds executed with minute care, precision and impeccable craftsmanship. But even with that much taken for granted, this particular design definitely belongs among his very best, and that makes it one of the best American-designed posters ever. The Victor bicycle, launched by the A. H. Overman Company in 1887, was among the first to steer resolutely away from the velocipede, which had a higher front wheel, to the identical-wheel construction that soon became standard. Like every good posterist, Bradley doesn't try to sell the technology, but the allure of bike riding. Of this poster, Rogers states that it is a "notable achievement" and it "demonstrates that this artist can, at will, accommodate his method to the subject, no matter what it is . . . In a scheme of violet and white, [it] has much carrying force, and is an example of how effectiveness may be secured by simplicity and a proper balance of the colour masses" (Rennert PAI-XL, 16)

"Bradley was certainly America's best known and most prolific poster artist, its very own 'Cheret', not in style so much as in popularity and output. And for style he was much influenced by the entire Art Nouveau school of design…(in his) poster for Victor Bicycles, spokes might have marred the composition of the poster and their absence gives a feeling of lightness and airiness to the bicycle, and the entire design. The gentleman to the left, we may assume, is also on a bicycle, but it's not clear if he's eying her or her Victor" (Bicycle 24, 57)

"The Victor bicycle, launched by the A.H. Overman Company in 1887, was among the first to steer resolutely away from the velocipede, which had a higher front wheel, to the identical wheel construction which soon became standard (to this day)"(Rennert PAI-XXV, 199)