Kids in a candy shop

Well it happened!  The North American Handmade Bicycle Show finally came to Austin. Talk about kids in a candy shop.   To see my Picasa album of some rather cool stuff there, go directly to:


https://picasaweb.google.com/WilliamPedalsOn/NAHBS?authkey=Gv1sRgCMyLkP_y9-6_GQ#  


Then go either to "Full Screen" or "Slide Show". 

 

Another Boneshaker

It’s happened again. Another rather innocuous-looking medal that commanded a fairly high price.

“LE VELOCIPEDE. La fantaisie le présente - L'industrie le patronne - La mode le reçoit - Le progrès l'encourage - Les arts utiles l'accueillent.

Perhaps an advertising promotion? Probably from the 1870s? Final eBay bid price was $412.

A medal so near & yet so far

As a collector of Art Nouveau & Art Deco cycling medals, I was intrigued by this lovely 1873 specimen on eBay. Although earlier than “my period”, its historical significance certainly caught my attention.

Consider that the late 19^th century “bicycle” designs fall broadly into three periods, typified by these developments:

· 1864 – 1866. Development and marketing of the front-wheel drive velocipede (aka “boneshaker”) by Michaux/Lallement. In use till circa 1872 (example: demise of the Phantom “boneshaker” company).

· 1870. James Starley’s large front wheel drive high-wheeler (aka “penny farthing”). In use by the general public till circa 1890.

· 1885. John Kemp Starley’s chain/rear-sprocket drive “Rover” (aka “safety” bicycle). Essentially in use thereafter.

Dated medals from the high-wheeler era are not particularly rare but I have never seen a velocipede example quite as early as this. I was apparently not alone and sadly, it proved to be out of my league, commanding a final bid price of $774.

1977 René Herse. US $11,211

Perhaps I no longer feel so bad if some aficionados are paying up to circa $10,000 for a contemporary bike. This beauty sold on eBay recently for $11,211, described as a “Top of the range” René Herse from 1977. Apparently made after Herse's death by Lily and Desbois.