unknowb - Rochet - Cycles Rochet - 1900s

Cycles Rochet – Rare Extra-Large French Vintage Poster by Olivier Pichat (c. 1895) – Linen Backed

A impressive and rare extra-large (monumental / multi-sheet) original stone lithograph advertising poster for the famous French manufacturer Cycles Rochet, designed by renowned 19th-century artist Olivier Pichat and printed by the premier Parisian printing house Imp. Camis, Paris.
​Historical Background:
During the golden age of cycling in late 19th-century France (Belle Époque), cycle manufacturers heavily marketed their machines to the military and public services. Bicycles were increasingly adopted by French dispatch riders (estafettes) and infantry troops to replace horses for fast, reliable transportation.
​This artwork illustrates a French officer in uniform riding a Rochet bicycle against a warm background featuring a sprig of oak leaves—a classic symbol of strength and military service.
​Key Features & Highlights:
• ​Artist: Olivier Pichat (Signed in matrix mid-right)
• ​Printer:Imp. Camis, Paris (Imprinted lower right margin)
• ​Format & Size: Monumental 1 sheet format measuring an impressive 130 x 190 cm. Standard versions of this poster usually measure ~100 x 140 cm, making this extra-large version significantly rarer and visually impactful for large display spaces.
• ​Preservation: Professionally mounted on linen (entoilé). Linen-backed posters are stabilized against tearing, acid decay, and creasing, rendering them ready for framing.
​Condition:
Very good antique condition overall. Bright, strong original colors with minimal age toning. Faint fold/seam lines consistent with multi-sheet lithographs of this scale, fully consolidated by professional conservation linen-backing.