Arthur Smithers Retrospective

The apocryphal Arthur Smithers entered our consciousness in the first Ground Effect catalogue of 1994, endorsing the Cappuccino cap.

"A modern day rendition of the classic cycle cap as worn by Arthur Smithers during the 1953 Giro d'Italia. Crafted from non-exotic materials and adorned with an embroidered Ground Effect logo. Mandatory millinery for post-race events, the beach, and mornings after the-night-before."

He went on to develop a surprising photographic talent, credited as the creative inspiration behind our long running series of classic black and white historical photos with ourselves inserted Forest Gump style, wearing contemporary Ground Effect garb.

In a deferential nod to the incomparable Arthur Smithers, we've trawled through the catalogue archives to deliver this retrospective selection of his best work.

Summer 1998-99

Caption: "Damn Elroy ... you know that pastrami on rye makes me giddy."
Context: The iconic Rockefeller Center smoko break.

Caption: A cold night on Manchester Street for Steve while doing under cover work for the Style Police.
Context: James Dean reimagined in Times Square.

Summer 1999-2000

Caption: Early attempts at virtual reality.
Context: 1950's 3D movies, popcorn and coke.

Caption: Guy does the Time Warp, Times Square 1945
Context: V-J Day spontaneous romance.

Summer 2000-01

Caption: Steve and McArthur jump the queue to claim the prime viewing spots at the beach volleyball tournament.
Context: WW2 beach landing in the Philippines.

Caption: Doctor Who? Only Guy had figured out that the Tardis had already moved on to the next series.
Context: Looks like a pre Belushi/Animal House fraternity stunt.

Summer 2001-02

Caption: Fraser’s Follies.
Context: Presumably Vegas or the Moulin Rouge chorus line.

Caption: Steve auditions with the mouseketeers.
Context: Surely Brittany, Christina and Justin are in there somewhere.

Caption: Guy and Maggie share a moment outside Number 10.
Context: The Iron Lady and her incomparable sense of style.

Winter 2002

Caption: Guy suggests Classic NZ Mountain Bike Rides to guide the revolution.
Context: A twist on Mao's obligatory Little Red Book.

Caption: You're a long way from Kansas now Fraser.
Context: Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow and the Yellow Brick Road.

Summer 2002-03

Caption: "Easy there girls." Steve restrains the fans.
Context: In the thick of Beatlemania.

Caption: En garde!

Caption: "I'd keep that one to yourself Mr President."
Context: Nixon is still smiling, so it must be pre-Watergate.

Winter 2003

Caption: Giddy up. Guy Maximus cracks the whip.
Context: Charlton Heston and Ben Hur.

Summer 2003-04

Caption: Assume the position. Guy and Steve deploy the traditional defence in the face of evil.
Context: Is it soccer or football?

Caption: Fraser belts out a psalm from Classic NZ Mtb Rides.
Context: An ecclesiastical moment.

Winter 2004

Caption: Do Daleks dream of electric sheep? Fraser taunts the bad guys.
Context: Sci-fi before CGI.

Summer 2004-05

Caption: Fore! Yes ma'm, this really is a set of Golf Clubs. Guy flies light with his Tardis bike bag.
Context: Back in the day golf clubs were allowable excess baggage; bikes were not.

Winter 2005

Caption: Fraser grabs the wheel during the '52 Oslo Olympics.

Summer 2005-06

Caption: "Come on Noah, what do you mean just two bikes?" Guy haggles over excess luggage.
Context: We definitely had a chip over the inequities around flying with bikes

Winter 2006

Caption: Stunt double Steve shows Kong some attitude.

Summer 2006-07

Caption: "Lads, I'm putting the band back together".
Context: Mick and Keith taunt the constabulary shortly after just doing their stint at Wormwood Scrubs.

Winter 2015

Our last printed catalogue, so we couldn't resist going back to the beginning.