This wonderful relic might be considered the equivalent of a ‘dinosaur’ in the evolution of bicycles. It’s worth noting that, while modern motorcycles could consider early bicycles to be their ancestors, the automobile was descended from tricycles such as this. Even more interesting is that fact that it was so well made that it is still possible to ride it today, 140 years later.
This ‘hay-fork’ tricycle has a very similar frame to the ‘The Favourite’ made by Timms & Co of Coventry. Only an adult tricycle from this company is illustrated, with heavy duty chain sprockets. I believe the sprockets on this example are different to the adult ‘Favourite’ as the lighter weight of a youth enabled a simpler (cheaper) design and lightweight chain and sprocket arrangement.
It appears original apart from the seat which has been replaced at some time during its life. It was repainted many decades ago. It’s suitable for a shorter adult or teenage rider, and it is strange at first to use treadles for motivation rather than the type of pedals we are used to ride with nowadays.
Here I am riding the 1881 ‘Favourite’ tricycle, and standing by it in case a customer wants to assess its size.
View in the Online Bicycle Museum
BICYCLE COLLECTORS CURATED ONLINE AUCTION, CHRISTMAS 2024 – JANUARY 2025
This Timed Auction is live from 20th of December 2024 to 26th of January, 2025. 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, phonecall, Facebook Messenger or Whatsapp.
