Lewis Simon (American, 1884–1970). <em>Trade Sign (Boy Riding Bicycle)</em>, 1932–1934. Painted wood, metal, rubber, other materials, 40 1/2 x 18 x 23 in. (102.9 x 45.7 x 58.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund and Dick S. Ramsay Fund, 74.29. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 74.29_SL1.jpg)

Lewis Simon (American, 1884–1970). Trade Sign (Boy Riding Bicycle), 1932–1934. Painted wood, metal, rubber, other materials, 40 1/2 x 18 x 23 in. (102.9 x 45.7 x 58.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund and Dick S. Ramsay Fund, 74.29. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 74.29_SL1.jpg)

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How did this advertising piece end up in the collection?

The artist, Lewis Simon, sold this piece to a dealer named Ivan Karp in 1961. This was purchased by this museum in 1974 from a gallery. This was a time when American museums were interested in collecting American "folk art" and even showing it alongside "fine art" by traditionally trained artists.

Can you tell me more about this?

The artist, Lewis Simon (also known as Louis Simon) was born in Russia and immigrated to New York City. He was an avid motorcyclist and he opened a shop to sell and repair motorcycles on Manhattan Avenue in Brooklyn in 1912. He made several man-on-bike signs like this one. The pedals and wheel would actually move by a motor and the boy's eyes would have lit up.

Can this boy still "pedal" the bike or is it too old to work anymore?

The sculpture no longer has the electric motor that made it pedal and it is in delicate condition so I don't know that we would ever try it out. However, I assume if our conservation team said it could be done, he would pedal again with a new motor!

Interesting, thanks.

You're very welcome.

Trade Sign (Boy Riding Bicycle)

Decorative Arts and Design

MAKER Lewis Simon, American, 1884–1970

MEDIUM Painted wood, metal, rubber, other materials

Place Manufactured: Brooklyn, New York, United States

DATES 1932–1934

DIMENSIONS 40 1/2 x 18 x 23 in. (102.9 x 45.7 x 58.4 cm) (show scale)

MARKINGS Metal plate with manufacturer's mark on front shaft of bicycle frame was painted over.

SIGNATURE no signature

INSCRIPTIONS no inscriptions

COLLECTIONS Decorative Arts and Design

ACCESSION NUMBER 74.29

CREDIT LINE H. Randolph Lever Fund and Dick S. Ramsay Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Trade sign in form of boy riding a bicycle. Painted and carved wooden figure of boy with simplified form and jointed body parts (bolts through ankles, knees, hips, and shoulders); wearing blue shirt and knee breeches; inset glass marbles for eyes. Boy seated on bicycle with an abbreviated metal frame (handlebars, front frame of bike, shaft for seat, pedals) and a single bicycle wheel; rubber tire, handle grips and foot pedals. Bicycle mounted on inverted L-shaped metal wall bracket. Condition: Very fragile. Extensive loss to paint and large splits in wood. Rust on metal parts. Rubber deteriorating and cracking. Some of the hardware has been replaced - new bolts have been used in hip and under seat. Picture wire holds one foot on pedal.

EXHIBITIONS

American Identities: A New Look

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Lewis Simon (American, 1884–1970). Trade Sign (Boy Riding Bicycle), 1932–1934. Painted wood, metal, rubber, other materials, 40 1/2 x 18 x 23 in. (102.9 x 45.7 x 58.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund and Dick S. Ramsay Fund, 74.29. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 74.29_SL1.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 74.29_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

You may download and use Brooklyn Museum images of this three-dimensional work in accordance with a Creative Commons license. Fair use, as understood under the United States Copyright Act, may also apply. Please include caption information from this page and credit the Brooklyn Museum. If you need a high resolution file, please fill out our online application form (charges apply). For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch. For more information about the Museum's rights project, including how rights types are assigned, please see our blog posts on copyright. If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.