Though they were built in just a short period – from 1868 to 1870 – the overwhelming majority of English velocipedes have unknown makers. Such was the enthusiasm for this novel means of transportation that hundreds of engineers, blacksmiths, coach-builders, wheelwrights, sewing machine manufacturers, toolmakers, gunsmiths and the like jumped on the bandwagon to create a new cycle industry.
The advertising industry was still in its infancy in 1869. Even when a velocipede was advertised for sale in a newspaper or magazine, few were illustrated. And even if there was a picture, the differences between them were mostly in the fine details, which is too hard to discern from a line drawing. There is no known list of all the makers. So it is almost impossible to attribute a manufacturer to a machine nowadays, and the best information that cycle historians can usually offer is the country in which an unknown velocipede was manufactured.
I believe this to be of British manufacture because of the wheel diameters, which are exactly 34″ and 28″ rather than corresponding to centimetres. Also the fact that it carries a ‘Star’ transfer (decal) on the steering head. I own an early 1900s gents’ tricycle with a similar head transfer, but I don’t know its manufacturer. I suspect that the transfer relates to an old-time cycle collection or cycle shop display rather than being applied when the velocipede was new.
This velocipede, built around 155 years ago, is in sound overall condition, and its metalwork and wheels still show the remains of original paint and coach lines. The front wheel seems tight but the rear one could do with servicing. Its wooden pedal blocks and saddle are missing and the footrest has been crudely removed. An unusual feature is its dropped spring. I find it hard to believe that this could have been caused by a heavy rider, and I think it was made like this so that it could be used by a rider who was shorter in the leg. The standover height is 34.5″ which is similar to an early roadster bicycle with a 24″ frame and 28″ wheels.
It has been in storage for many decades, and I’ve done nothing to it except wheel it out and photograph it. This is exactly how we like to find our bicycles, and its new owner will have the pleasure of fettling it to their personal taste.
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.
