This bicycle was found in a stable, by Julian, of Zeals in Wiltshire. His grandfather had worked at 14th century Zeals House, and had hidden the bicycle in the stable in 1904. Though the grandfather died when Julian was young, the hidden bicycle was was often mentioned by Julian’s father and became part of their family folklore. In 2014, Julian took up the same job as his grandfather, managing Zeals House. He was excited to find the bicycle in the stables, covered in sacking, where his grandfather had left it all those years ago.
It’s a rare find and a small but important part of the early history of British bicycles. We mostly focus nowadays on individuals or companies that subsequently became well-known. But there were hundreds of small firms in the early cycle trade whose factories were swallowed up by other concerns and they have slipped through the cracks of recorded history. Cycle companies such as A Jackson & Co only become known again on the rare occasion that one of their products is unearthed and identified.
This unusual safety bicycle is in solid condition. As you can see in these photos, it has ‘trough’ tubing on the down tube, seat tubes, chain stays and seat stays. I’ve never seen another one. It needs new tyring to be ridden (half inch diameter and available) and the pedal cranks need adjusting. Apart from greasing and oiling I’ve left it ‘as found.’
View in the Online Bicycle Museum
BICYCLE COLLECTORS CURATED ONLINE AUCTION, Spring 2026
This Timed Auction is live from 21st of March 2026 @ 2-30pm to 4th of April, 2026. Highest bid wins.
NO BUYERS or SELLERS PREMIUM.
THE RESERVE IS THE START PRICE + BUY-IT-NOW OPTION.
INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY: NO PACKING FEES.
BIDDING INCREMENTS: Up to £1000 = £10. Over £1000 = £50. Over £2000 = £100
IT’S A CURATED AUCTION – Colin is the auctioneer and is available to chat to you personally during the auction (or before) by email, text message, phone call, Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp.
