Gilera 500 1954 & Geoff Duke – Isle of Man TT - motorcycle racing photo

Description

A superb and rare photo of the famous
Gilera 500 four
and the magnificent
Geoff Duke
. They both are seen in full action during the
500cc Senior T.T.
on the
Isle of Man
in
1954
.
Geoff Duke
would finish the shortened race in
2ND
position with his Gilera factory four, and he went on to win the
500cc world championship
that year
on the
photographed machine
.
The name of
Geoff Duke
is synonymous with motor sports, for he dominated motorcycle racing in the 1950s, winning six world championships and five Isle of Man TT races. Duke came to prominence after winning the 1949 Senior Clubmans TT and the Senior Manx Grand Prix and was to become the very first post-war motorcycling 'superstar', popularly known amongst the racing fraternity simply as 'the Duke'. He was signed up to the Norton works team for the 1950 TT, finishing second in the Junior and breaking both lap and race records in the Senior. After winning three World Championships for Norton he surprised everybody by moving abroad to Italian motorcycle manufacturer, Gilera in 1953. With Gilera, he had a string of three consecutive 500cc world championships. His final race was the 1959 Junior when he finished fourth on a Norton. In 1963 formed Scuderia Duke with Gilera to race the 1957 Gileras against the might of MV Augusta.
He was named Sportsman of the Year in 1951, awarded the RAC Segrave Trophy and, in recognition of his services to motorcycling, was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1953.
Gilera
was founded by Giuseppe Gilera in the Northern Italian town of
Arcore
, close to the city of
Milan
, in
1909
. In
1935 Gilera acquired rights to the Rondine four-cylinder engine. This formed the basis for Gileras four cylinder racing machines nearly forty years. From the mid-thirties Gilera developed a range of four-stroke engine machines. The engines ranged from 100 to 500cc. The most famous of which was the 1939 Saturno.
After World War II,
Gilera dominated Grand Prix motorcycle racing
, winning the 500cc road racing world championship 6 times in 8 years with their mighty four cylinder racing machines, like visible on the photo that the winner of this auction will receive. Facing a downturn in motorcycle sales due to the increase in the popularity of automobiles after the war, Gilera made a gentleman's agreement with the other Italian motorcycle makers to quit Grand Prix racing after the 1957 season as a cost cutting measure. In 1969 the company was purchased by the Piaggio & Co. SpA -- which now holds six marques and is the world's fourth largest motorcycle manufacturer. In 1992, Gilera made a return to the Grand Prix arena and Piaggio continues to produce small-displacement motorcycles with the Gilera name.
World Championships
1950: 500cc with Umberto Masetti
1952: 500cc with Umberto Masetti
1953: 500cc with Geoff Duke
1954: 500cc with Geoff Duke
1955: 500cc with Geoff Duke
1957: 500cc with Libero Liberati
2001: 125cc with Manuel Poggiali
We have more photos listed on Ebay of Geoff Duke, Gilera and other brands with various riders.
It is a very nice non period photo that reflects a wonderful era of Gilera’s rich history in a wonderful way. This is your rare chance to own this photo, therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 12" (ca.20 x
30 cm
).
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you buy.   For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well protected in PVC clear files
and board backed envelopes.
We have photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and excellent quality.
After many decades of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!
First come - first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any questions before the auction ends.