Dilecta was the brand of Albert Chichery, who established a factory in his home town of Le Blanc, Indre, in the central region of France. Chicery was born in 1888 and worked in his familiy's butcher shop before opening the bicycle factory. There are conflicting stories regarding the commencement of bicycle manufacture. One version states that the factory opened in 1913 but was quickly converted to muntions production for the Great War. Another version contends that Chichery served in the French military during the war and opened the factory after the war. Either way, continuous bicycle production does not appear to have been estabished until circa 1919-1920.
The Dilecta name chosen for the bicycles is from Latin and means highly valued. The brand gained a following during the inter-war years, with the company producing 25,000 bicycles annually and employing 150 people. The company also manufactured bicycles under the De Dion-Bouton and J.B. Louvert brands, which it had acquired.
Chichery entered politics in the mid-1930s. becomimg a Minister with the Vichy Goverment during World War II. He was kidnapped and murdered in 1944 but the company continued until 1968, when it went bankrupt.
Dilecta sponsored its first cycling team at least as early as 1923 and was a constant presence on the pro circuit through the mid-1950s, when it took a hiatus before returning briefly in 1966 & 1967. Brand palmares include two World Championships (1948 pro pursuit, 1967 amateur CX), three French pro CX titles (1926-1928, three French pro road titles (1927, 1928, 1954), the 1935 Vuelta a Espana, 1932 Paris-Roubaix, 1946Fleche Wallone and 1931 Bordeaux-Paris.
Attached is a postcard of the Dilecta factory during the inter-war years.