Michelin Vélo enamelled plaque, 50x40cm, 1950, Luynes
🔥 Pièce unique – 1 exemplaire disponible
This Michelin Vélo enamelled plaque is an authentic advertising sign from the Michelin brand, produced in 1950 by the Luynes enamel works, a French manufacturer renowned for its high-quality enamels. Featuring the characteristic shape of a shield with a pointed lower edge, it measures 50 × 40 cm – a generous size designed to catch the eye of motorists and cyclists alike. The background is painted in a bright, vibrant red – Michelin’s iconic and unmistakable colour, symbolising performance and dynamism. Taking centre stage is Bibendum, the brand’s cheerful and legendary mascot, depicted in profile in pure white, raising a pointed finger in a gesture of victory whilst perched on a stylised bicycle with black wheels. At the top of the plaque, the text ‘MICHELIN’ in yellow capital letters assertively affirms the brand’s identity. The overall design exudes the optimism and modernity of 1950s France.
This example is in exceptional collector’s condition: the enamelled sheet metal retains all its original lustre, with a light surface patina that lends the piece its authenticity and unrivalled vintage charm. The red colour is vibrant, with no discolouration or visible wear. The white of the Bibendum is pure and has not yellowed. No chipped enamel, no structural cracks, and no rust or corrosion mar the surface. The upper fixings — period suspension systems — are intact. This exceptional condition, for an outdoor advertising sign over 70 years old, is testament to optimal preservation and remarkable protection over the decades.
This Michelin Vélo enamel sign is aimed at collectors of vintage signage, enthusiasts of French advertising heritage, fans of 1950s design, interior designers specialising in retro-French style, and admirers of Michelin’s Bibendum. Authentic Michelin enamel signs from this era, in such excellent condition, are rare and sought-after acquisitions on the international collectables market. They represent much more than a simple advertising sign: they are a fragment of French industrial and cultural history, a testament to French marketing ingenuity and the evolution of 20th-century graphic design.
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1 300 €
🔥 Pièce unique – 1 exemplaire disponible
🔥 Pièce unique – 1 exemplaire disponible
- FREE DELIVERY in 78, Paris, and 91, 92, 93, 94 and 95.
- Return within 14 days
Michelin was founded in 1889 in Clermont-Ferrand by brothers Édouard and André Michelin, revolutionizing the tire industry with the invention of the detachable pneumatic tire. The brand rapidly became an undisputed leader in automotive and cycling technology. In 1898, the Bibendum appeared — the affectionate nickname for the tire itself — an anthropomorphic white and rotund character who became one of the most recognized advertising mascots in the world. The Bibendum embodies innovation, progress, and a zest for life, quickly becoming the brand’s ambassador across all advertising media: enamel plaques, billboards, and promotional materials. The 1950s, a period of French economic expansion and rapid motorization, saw a proliferation of Michelin plaques on the facades of service stations, repair workshops, and roadsides throughout France.
The Émaillerie Luynes, a historic French manufacturer specializing in enameled sheet metal since the 19th century, is among the prestigious producers of Michelin advertising plaques. The enameling technique — coating steel sheet with a layer of glass fired at high temperature — provides exceptional durability and an unmatched aesthetic finish. These Michelin enamel plaques, produced in limited runs, were gradually withdrawn from circulation as old service stations closed and the urban landscape was modernized from the 1970s and 1980s onward. Today, these plaques stand as valuable testimonies to the golden era of French motoring, symbols of Michelin’s visual identity, and significant pieces of 20th-century French advertising heritage.
Michelin Vélo enamelled plaque, original 1950 badge from the Luynes enamel works. Dimensions 50×40 cm, bright red enamelled sheet metal bearing the Michelin logo. In collector’s condition, with impeccable lustre and patina. An authentic piece of vintage French advertising heritage.
Origin: FranceMaterials: Enamelled sheet metal
Year: 1950
Condition: Collector’s condition
Free collection from the Coignières showroom
FREE DELIVERY IN METROPOLITAN FRANCE
Height: 19.7 in
Width: 15.7 in
Depth: 1.2 in
Weight: 6.6 lbs
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We offer free delivery in France for all items — including combined orders, if you are located in Yvelines (78), in Paris, or in the departments 91, 92, 93, 94 and 95.
For all other destinations within mainland France, your order can be delivered securely via Cocolis.
Upon receiving your order, you have 14 calendar days to return your item or report any issue.
Some selected products also benefit from free shipping within mainland France.
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You may also choose free collection from our showroom in Coignières.
