Description
This is an original vintage advertising poster from 1949 celebrating Eriac Cyclomoteurs, the legendary French moped manufacturer, and their most audacious promotional achievement: the Paris-to-Tokyo endurance race covering 18,000 kilometers across three continents.
Printed by the renowned Rocher Studio in bold lithographic style, this striking poster exemplifies Art Deco advertising design at its finest. Vivid reds, blues, and yellows dominate the composition, depicting sleek Eria mopeds racing across exotic landscapes—from the iconic Eiffel Tower to Japan’s Mount Fuji—symbolizing speed, reliability, global ambition, and human perseverance. Stylized riders and sweeping motion lines convey the dynamic energy of this unprecedented feat of engineering and adventure.
About the Paris-to-Tokyo Race: In 1935, Eriac orchestrated an ambitious endurance challenge that captured the world’s imagination. A team of intrepid riders embarked on a grueling 18,000 km journey from Paris to Tokyo on specially modified Eria cyclomoteurs, traversing Europe, the Soviet Union, China, and beyond. The three-month journey showcased the vehicles’ robustness in extreme conditions—alpine passes, desert sands, and geopolitical tensions. Only a handful of riders completed the trek, cementing Eria’s reputation as a maker of unbreakable machines. This poster commemorates that legendary achievement and served as a powerful sales promotion.
About Eria Cyclomoteurs: Founded in Lyon, France, in 1922, Eria emerged as a key innovator in the burgeoning motorized bicycle industry. Their durable two-stroke engines and ergonomic frames made them popular among working-class Europeans for urban commuting and long-distance travel. By the 1930s, Eria competed directly with Peugeot and Motobécane. The company ceased operations in the late 1940s due to post-war economic shifts, but its legacy endures through rare collectible memorabilia like this poster.
Condition: Excellent. Professionally linen-backed, vibrant colors well-reserved, ready to frame. Appropriate for museum or gallery display.
Specifications:
- Size: 31.75″ W × 47″ H (79 cm × 119 cm)
- Date: 1949
- Medium: Original Lithograph
- Printer: Rocher Studio
- Creator: Unknown (attributed to a French graphic artist studio)
- Mounting: Archival linen-backed
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