C1890 33” x 23” Metal Hotel Sign - French

[Carltonator]

I got this sign a few years ago off Instagram from a gentleman in the Netherlands, Olivier van Schaik, owner of Fitzroy & Everest Gentleman’s Antiques http://www.fitzroy-everest.nl/ …As I recall I didn’t know what to make of it…but it looked cycling related, old and big…so I messaged the owner…

He explained it was displayed on the front of hotels in France signifying approval by the Touring club de France …perhaps other countries also…if I recall the Touring club de France was the first organization in France to promote cycling…and if I recall they even pushed for building hotels to house cyclists…The sign served the same purpose we see today with American Automobile Association signs AAA on hotels…

The seller and I were quite similar in that he had been beating the bushes many years around western Europe looking for sports antiques…he said this sign was the only one he had ever seen…Mostly I prefer American sports antiques….but occasionally I go off reservation…I would guess it dates to around 1890-1920…Based on Olivier’s observation I wouldn’t be surprised it’s the only surviving example…

 

[cyclingday]

I love it!
Is it made from stamped Copper?

 

[Carltonator]

I love it!
Is it made from stamped Copper?

Hey thanks CD...no I think it's just rusted tin...

 

[Jesse McCauley]

Great sign!
Reminds me of the US variant!

 

[Carltonator]

After I started this thread I did a photo search on google...up came this photo that was being auctioned on a french website Decampe.net...A bit strange site...no dimensions were supplied in the brief description...and no way to contact the seller...so I bid blind...and won it today for €14.17 Euro....I won't know the size till it gets here...I'm guessing 10-12 inches wide...

 

[Carltonator]

Poking around that Decampe.com site I also came across these other two Touring Club de France items that I won… I’m usually not too much for small card size stuff but I’m v taken by this I.D. card…all the graphics and fonts…and double sided… and even a photo of the gentleman Mr. Samuel Cassin …apparently he wasn’t a just casual cup of coffee member, as the card was issued in 1898 and there is a 1929 stamp on the back….

I don’t know how big the pin is but probably about nickel size…Kind of a strange auction site as the descriptions are v sparse…at least what I looked at…but everything was bargain basement prices…the ID card was like 15 Euro plus 5 for shipping…Maybe I’ll shadow box the three items to hang under the sign when I frame it…

 

[wes holliday]

I might look at that site, your never sure of what you buy until you receive it.

Thats the real adventure ! Have fun.