ABSTRACT
The background to the photos of Major Taylor and Taylor with Edmond Jacquelin during their well-advertised races in Paris in May 1901 was a crescendo of publicity, orchestrated by managers, publicists and company promoters. Taylor’s race had made him the object of ferocious racial opposition within the sport – the League of American Wheelmen had in fact declared a ban against black members, all of which he faced with remarkable dignity. A Google search will show the importance of “the photographic moment” not just for bicycle racing, but for all the other emerging team and individual sports, with frequent competition making it possible to earn substantial amounts in the illustrated press. The photo was taken by Jules Beau, while other pioneer Parisian news and sport photographers can be seen in the background also publicizing the moment.
