Collectibles 5

Italian magazine from 1931

While rumors of insurance fraud were circulating in Berlin after the fire at the uninsured Rutt Arena, the Italian magazine “La Tribuna Illustrata” took the series of false reports to grotesque levels in its May 17, 1931 issue.

The front page featured a dramatic illustration with the headline:

“During the bicycle races at the Rutt Arena in Berlin, a fire broke out under the track on which the cyclists were riding, caused by the explosion of a tin can. The flames soon engulfed the entire facility, and the cyclists and spectators fled in indescribable panic.”

Advertising vignette, 1914

Walter Rutt in the year after winning the World Championship title on a vignette from the company “Globin.” A competitor later followed suit, advertising with the following rhyme:

"Who, like the old master Rutt,
pedals so cleanly.
Make sure your shoes are well cared for
when you put them in the spokes.
Keep Eri leather oil handy
in your bunk at all times."

Walter Rutt Cup 1947

Unfortunately, it is not known who Walter Rutt presented the prize to at the time. In any case, the race participants must have been particularly motivated by the name of the trophy.

The trophy is 31 centimeters high, has a diameter of 16 centimeters at the top, is gold-plated on the inside, and engraved on the outside with:

“To the winner of the main cycling race Walter Rutt Trophy Hanover 14.6.47”

Press photo Cycling school

Walter Rutt was not above asking bicycle shops for prizes, which he gave to his protégés after training races.

Letter with signature

Fritz Pitz was the first professional racing driver from Bocholt. If you search for him on the internet, you will only find entries about his son Fritz Pitz Junior, who died in 2006 and gained international renown as a painter and photographer of numerous celebrities.

During a visit to his studio in Bocholt, he gave me this beautiful document.

Panini collectible picture 1971

In 1971, Walter Rutt was commemorated once again in a special way. His likeness appeared in a series of collectible pictures.

Publishing house: Panini, Modena, Italien

Illustrated magazine, 1910

This magazine is interesting not only because of its cover photo. It also contains an article by Walter Rütt in which he laments the decline of German cycling.

Berlin Central Publishing House