Clement - Cycles & Automobiles

Clément Cycles was a French bicycle manufacturer that was founded by the industrial entrepreneur Adolphe Clément-Bayard (née Clément) in 1878. From it beginnings as a bicycle repair shop in Bordeaux, through its establishment as a bicycle shop and workshop in Paris, to its mass manufacture of a wide range of bicycles from the purpose built, state of the art factory at Levallois-Perret, Paris, the brand always combined advertising and marketing flair with quality products. As automobiles started to be mass produced the company added a line of cars to appeal to its client base and help to combat the loss of bicycle sales.

In this image, we see both Clement automobiles and bicycles on display. A local French regiment is using the brand to perform a military exercise. A lower ranking service member reports to his car-bound superiors by bike. In many ways, this poster illustrates the social shift in popularity from the bicycle to the automobile at this time.

Louis Charles Bombled (1862-1927) created this poster. A talented French painter, Bombled worked within the traditional, history-based school of painting popular at this time. Unfortunately, not much more is known about his personal life and career.

This is an Original Vintage Poster; it is not a reproduction. This poster is conservation mounted, linen backed, and in excellent condition. We guarantee the authenticity of all of our posters.