Lot 118: Acatene Velleda.

Acatene Velleda.
LUCIEN BAYLAC (1851-1913)
Imp. Kossuth, Paris
Cond B+/Slight tears and stains at folds and edges.
This proclamatory valkyrie would appear to be none other than Velleda, the Germanic priestess who was one of the leaders of the Batavian uprising against the Romans. Here, however, rather than taking on an entire empire, she lends her name to a brand of bicycle determined to crush the tyranny of chain-driven models with their chainless ride: the Acatene Metropole. Adding further melodrama to the proceedings is the background's chain-rending raptor, a bird of prey supplied with its own Latin motto that translates as "Woe to Chains." As is typically the case in posters for the Acatene Metropole bicycle, it's made perfectly clear that their product was outfitted with American-made G & J tires. Baylac worked under Jules Cheret and the Master's influence is clearly evident in his designs. Other than that fact, the artist remains a bit of an enigma, known to us solely from the posters he produced.
1898
47 1/8 x 62 1/8 in./119.6 x 157.7 cm