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"This was Lautrec's first attempt at his La Chaine Simpson poster that was rejected by Louis Bougle, the Simpson representative in France, because of it's inaccurate depiction of the very thing it was meant to sell - the bicycle's chain. The professional racer shown here in training is Jimmy Michael, whom Bougle managed. (The famous young English champion, with his celebrated tooth-pick in his mouth) Although Lautrec left the lithograph unfinished, he issued an edition of two hundred, no doubt believing a market for the print existed among Micheal's fans.

Following Dunlop's invention of the pneumatic tire in 1889, competitive cycling became the most fashionable sport in Paris. It's rise in popularity was stimulated by the cycle manufacturing business, which financed race tracks and supported a new sporting press in specialized magazines and news columns. By the mid 1890's, cycling champions had become popular heroes and the race at the Velodrome Buffalo and the Velodrome de la Seine were favorite places to go on Sunday afternoons. Lautrec went often in the company of Tristan Bernard, the author and playwright who had succumbed to cyclomania and become manager off the Buffalo and editor of 'Le Journal des Velocipedistes.' In 1895 Lautrec produced several lithographs set at the track including a portrait of his friend Bernard. These are what led to his commission to design a poster advertising Simpson bicycle chains" (San Diego Museum of Art)

During the 1960s the renowned French printer, Mourlot Freres, printed this superb series "Les Affiches de Toulouse-Lautrec" for collectors. They are reduced lithographic versions of Lautrec's most famous works. They are truly the most beautiful printing we have been able to find in this size format.

As vintage printings of Lautrec's work, in all formats, reach high prices, this mid-century printing offers a superb alternative at a reasonable price that will only appreciate in value.