ZeroG

Could anyone please tell me more details about this 6 day race poster? It looks to be from San Francisco, but I am looking for the year or era along with any story behind it (I have been combing the Internet and came up zero).

Thanks in advance!

due ruote 

I just randomly typed 1975 into a Universal Calendar site and it worked for the dates. Lots of other years would work as well, but you could at least narrow it down some by that method.

sharkford

The S.F. Civic Auditorium was built in 1915 and was renamed after Bill Graham after his 1991 death.

Within those years, Dec 7 was a Saturday in 1924, 30, 41, 47, 52, 58, 69, 75, 80, and 86.

Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six-Day_Race) tells us that this sport was at the height of popularity from the late 1890's to WWII, but it continues as a niche sport today. It may be less likely that an event was held during the war, and for the racing to be only six hours daily suggests this event was not in the definitive style of the sport.

Other than that, the typography and dress styles of the riders are probably your best clues.

My guess would be the post war period, '47, '52 or '58.

-S

due ruote 

I can't make out what's at the bottom center - is that the printer's mark? Maybe that would be a clue.

I like Sharkford's comment about graphics. Maybe you could find a designer's forum and get some feedback about the most likely decade. To me, that seems like pretty inspired work for '47. I like the '50's dates. But that's little more than a hunch.

East Hill

Union label. Could indeed be a good clue.

Sharkford, welcome to BikeForums!

East Hill

ZeroG

Thanks everyone.

I have been reading up on six day racing (haven't bought the six day racing book yet though) and found out that it was America's pastime prior to WW2 (which I always thought was baseball). Apparently, since 6 day racing in the US was affiliated with gambling, a top rider could earn up to $100,000 a year when Babe Ruth (highest paid baseball player at the time earned $17,000) and the average American earned $750! So there was definitely money there. This, according to what I have read, also contributed to laws being past to ban road racing in the US (viewed as a direct form of competition) and was one of the contributing reasons to why the US did not develop a cycling culture much like that found in Europe until it started picking up in the mid 70s.

Madison Square Gardens was also apparently built 3 times, and the first two were dedicated specifically for 6 day bicycle races (hence the Madison race).

This is my little piece of history I have of that era (if I ever figure out more specifications), and find it all very fascinating and educational.

skyrider

Price of admission was 1 dollar plus tax, Perhaps an oltimer knows what a buck would get you.

iab

Sweet poster.

The "World Championship" font looks like Futura, which I think was designed in the late 20s. But The overall design does not show the typical prewar streamlining which was so popular in the 30s & 40s. If I were to guess, I would say sometime in the 50s. It has a very minimalist, modern look, no ornamentation but willing to mix fonts. I don't know the "International" font but the beefy script sceams 50s to me.

Yogurt

1952. It was San Francisco's first six-day race in 13 years.

If you're interested to find out more, the Oakland Tribune ran articles about it during that week.

ZeroG

Just returning back from vacation so sorry for delayed reply, but I want to give a big thank you to everyone on the C&V forum for your assistance and a special thank you Yogurt for the specifications. Your the man!

dake13

Super cool poster.

RobbieTunes

This thread is a prime example of the type of thing on C&V that is constantly better than TV.
I can just see Pottery Barn copying that poster, but here, it's real.