The pennants, scarves, plates & certficates - 18
ITEM N°590
VAN SPRINGEL Herman (B)
(14.08.1943 – 25.08.2022)
His winner’s pennant from the 1969 Grand Prix des Nations
Born in Ranst, Belgium, Herman Van Springel was one of the finest riders of his generation. A professional from 1965 to 1981, he excelled in time trials and long-distance classics.
In 1968, he came very close to winning the Tour de France. Wearing the yellow jersey on the eve of the finish, he was pipped to the post by Jan Janssen in the final time trial and finished second in the general classification, just 38 seconds behind the Dutchman.
On 19 October 1969, Herman Van Springel won the 34th edition of the Grand Prix des Nations, a prestigious individual time trial organised by the newspapers L’Équipe and Le Parisien libéré. He finished ahead of Raymond Poulidor and the Italian Davide Boifava. Held in the Paris region over a distance of approximately 73 kilometres, the Grand Prix des Nations was then regarded as the de facto world championship of time trials. This victory confirmed his remarkable skills as a time-trialist. He won the Grand Prix des Nations again in 1970, becoming one of the great specialists in this competition.
The pennant shown here is made of red satin, edged with gold braid and fringing. Suspended from a wooden rod by a cord, it bears the embroidered inscriptions: ‘34th GRAND PRIX DES NATIONS’
‘19 OCTOBER 1969’
‘ORGANISED BY THE TEAM – LE PARISIEN LIBÉRÉ’ A handwritten signature attributed to Herman Van Springel appears at the bottom. In the period photograph, the winner is seen displaying this same type of pennant at the end of the race, wearing the colours of the Mann–Grundig team.
Nicknamed ‘Monsieur Bordeaux–Paris’, Herman Van Springel holds the all-time record for this race with seven victories. His list of honours also includes the 1968 Tour of Lombardy, the 1969 Paris–Tours, five stages of the Tour de France and the points classification in the 1973 Tour de France.
This pennant is an exceptional memento of one of the most significant time trial victories of Herman Van Springel’s career.
ITEM N° 403
SPEICHER Georges (F)
(08.06.1907 – 24.01.1978)
The sash he received in Amsterdam on 6 September 1934
Born in Paris on 8 June 1907, Georges Speicher was one of the most outstanding French champions of the 1930s. A powerful and fast rider, he excelled in both stage races and major one-day events.
The year 1933 saw him go down in history. After winning the Tour de France, with three stage victories, he became world road champion at Montlhéry a few weeks later. He was thus the first rider to achieve the Tour de France–World Championship double in a single season.
In 1934, whilst still wearing the rainbow jersey, Speicher won five stages of the Tour de France and finished eleventh in the general classification.
The sash presented here is made from a red-orange satin fabric, with a wide black band running along its entire length. It is finished with long dark fringes. Its red and black colours might evoke those of the city of Amsterdam, although this attribution cannot currently be confirmed with certainty. According to its provenance, this item is said to have been presented to Georges Speicher in Amsterdam on 6 September 1934. It may be linked to an international cycling event or a ceremony held at the Olympic Stadium velodrome, where track competitions were regularly held. However, research has not yet made it possible to identify with certainty the event corresponding to this date. The item must therefore be presented as an award or honorary scarf received in Amsterdam, pending the discovery of a programme or a Dutch press article from 1934.
The photograph shows Georges Speicher being welcomed and congratulated after a race, wearing his distinctive jersey and holding a large bouquet. It illustrates the popularity of the French champion during this particularly brilliant period of his career.
Speicher went on to become French road champion in 1935, 1937 and 1939. He also won Paris–Roubaix in 1936 and racked up nine stage victories in the Tour de France.
This rare scarf is a valuable testament to the international cycling events organised in the 1930s and to the European fame Georges Speicher achieved following his exceptional double victory in 1933.
ITEM N° 402
SPEICHER Georges (F)
(08.06.1907 – 24.01.1978)
The sash he received in Vichy in October 1933
Georges Speicher was one of the most popular French champions of the 1930s. A powerful rider, an excellent attacker and a good sprinter, he possessed the qualities needed to excel in both stage races and the classics.
The year 1933 marked the peak of his career. Georges Speicher won the Tour de France, with three stage victories, and then became world road champion at Montlhéry a few weeks later. He was the first rider in history to achieve this prestigious double in a single season.
The sash presented here is made from blue moiré satin. It is adorned with an embroidered badge and bears the inscriptions:
“VICHY-ÉTAT – OCTOBER 1933”
Its lower section is decorated with motifs that are now partially faded and ends with two tassels featuring long metallic fringes. Its meticulous craftsmanship suggests it was a ceremonial item intended to be worn at a formal occasion. This sash is believed to have been presented to Georges Speicher in Vichy in October 1933, shortly after his victories in the Tour de France and the World Championships. It may have originated from a cycling gathering, a post-Tour criterium or a reception organised in honour of the new champion. However, the available research does not allow for the precise identification of the event.
The photograph shows Georges Speicher wearing the rainbow jersey of the world champion. It places the item in the context of that exceptional 1933 season, during which the French cyclist achieved international renown.
Speicher went on to confirm his talent by winning five stages of the 1934 Tour de France, three French road cycling championship titles and Paris–Roubaix in 1936. He racked up a total of nine stage victories in the Tour de France.
This rare scarf thus serves as a valuable record of the tributes paid to Georges Speicher following his historic double victory in the 1933 Tour de France and World Championships. However, definitively identifying its origin will require consulting the local Vichy press from October 1933.
