Paris-1924 / Jeux Olympiques. 1924.

ARTIST: JEAN DROIT (1884-1961) SIZE: 31 3/8 x 47 1/4 in./79.7 x 120 cm PRINTER: Hachard, Paris DESCRIPTION: This is the banner under which Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell won the 400m and 100m events, immortalized in the 1981 film "Chariots of Fire." It's the poster that symbolized Johnny Weissmuller's swimming. And it's the Olympics that first used the motto Citius, Altius Fortius (Higher, Faster, Stronger). "The espousal of mass physical culture became a source of national pride and strength, as perfectly exemplified in Jean Droit’s image” (Olympic Posters, p. 35). This was one of two posters selected out of 150 entries; it's become one of the world's most cherished items of Olympic memorabilia. NOTE: See also the posters of Van der Ven for the 1920 Antwerp Olympics, and that of Villa for the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. (Sports)