Pilotes de courses

1930 · 21375 — 1930. Motorcycle racing and touring culture in the United States documented in photographs created during the 1930s centered around riders and events connected to Cleveland Ohio. The images record dirt track and hill climb motorcycle competitions along with long distance road travel undertaken by riders during a formative period in American motorsports when motorcycle clubs regional competitions and informal racing circuits helped establish the sport's early culture. The photographs depict racers machines and spectators within an environment defined by improvised tracks steep hill climb courses and local racing communities that formed around Harley Davidson and Indian motorcycles. Alongside racing scenes the album preserves images of industrial landscapes small town life and recreational travel situating motorcycle sport within the broader social geography of Depression era America.<br /> <br /> Photograph album containing numerous original black and white photographs mounted on black paper pages primarily dating to the 1930s. Many images document motorcycle racing events including dirt track competitions and hill climb contests where riders accelerate across loose soil tracks and steep inclines while spectators gather along the course. Several photographs show riders lined up at starting positions wearing leather jackets jodhpurs and early racing helmets before the beginning of a race. Other images capture motorcycles leaning sharply through turns as riders extend a leg outward for balance while dust rises from the track. Hill climb scenes show riders attempting near vertical ascents on deeply rutted slopes while crowds line the hillside with some photographs capturing motorcycles cresting the hill with front wheels raised or losing traction in loose soil. The motorcycles visible include Harley Davidson VL models and Indian Scout and Chief motorcycles some appearing stripped down for competition with modifications such as reduced fenders elevated exhaust pipes and reinforced frames. Several images also record crashes and mechanical failures including overturned motorcycles and riders thrown from their machines illustrating the hazards of early motorcycle racing.<br /> <br /> Interspersed with the racing photographs are images documenting long distance motorcycle travel and everyday life. Several photographs show motorcycles parked along rural roads and at historic sites including Gettysburg Battlefield where roadside plaques mark Civil War positions as well as signage identifying the Allegheny Mountains Dividing Ridge Summit. Additional photographs depict industrial landscapes in the American Midwest including factories steel mills barns and small town streetscapes. Leisure images show groups of men and women in swimsuits candid street scenes and posed photographs of women in glamorous poses typical of mid twentieth century popular photography. A large group photograph depicts children in swimsuits gathered with an adult instructor at what appears to be a camp setting while another sequence documents a small town parade with uniformed children marching groups and flag bearers passing historic brick storefronts. Album bound in embossed leather covers with gilt title "Photographs" string tied binding. Photographs mounted to black paper pages with some tape mounts and a few loose prints. Minor fading and occasional tape reinforcement visible; covers show light wear. Overall very good condition. The album preserves an extensive visual record of early American motorcycle racing culture and the recreational travel networks that connected riders across the industrial Midwest and beyond during the 1930s. unknown