: A 1937 Elgin "Robin" bicycle propelled by a drive shaft, the best
one of three such examples ever made, sold for a record $20,900
at Copake Auction's annual bicycle sale on April 17.
The bicycle had an experimental brake-in-pedal crank housing,
and, of the three known examples, this is the only one in
original finish. It sold to a Midwestern collector bidding on the
telephone. A more conventional 1937 Elgin "Robin" that was
unrestored in good original brown and cream paint was $2,750.
Once advertised by Sears, Roebuck & Co. as "The bike of the
century," a circa 1936 Elgin Bluebird cost $45.95 at the height
of the depression. At Copake, the price climbed to $12,010. The
bicycle was in such fresh condition that the catalog recommended
that it simply be cleaned and placed in a collection.
The wheels and spokes of antique bicycles have a compelling
graphic appeal and the ones here are no exception. A circa 1885
adult tricycle with imposing 48-inch rear wheels was made by
Victor in Chicopee, Mass., and brought $16,500. In fine restored
condition, the tricycle had a pair of matching oil lamps and the
original dust shield.
It didn't look comfortable, but the impressive wheels and
unusual form of this circa 1885 adult tricycle by Victor drove
the price $16,500.
A rare circa 1865 adult tricycle boneshaker with original
wooden handlebar grips that was found in the Dayton, Ohio, area
fetched $11,000. Made by an Ohio blacksmith, the tricycle had been
in storage for many years and consequently was in good condition.
A 1937 Indian in original black paint and no restoration made in
Germany under license from the Springfield, Mass., company and
retailed by American vendors was also $11,000.
A circa 1865 boneshaker in old finish with wooden spokes and
pinstriping had a front foot rest and turned handlebars and may
have had the original cover on the saddle and original grips. It
sold for $5,712. Another boneshaker made in about 1868 was
distinctive for its unusual wrought iron wheels in a star pattern
and tapered iron spokes, a wrought iron frame with an attached
rear fork, a curved and curled saddle spring and triangular
wooden pedals. It brought $3,100.
There was a circa 1936 Schwinn Aero-Cycle with a snazzy Delta
Gangway pancake push button horn, red B.F. Goodrich Silvertown
tires and a red metal edged Troxel saddle that sold for $6,550,
and a circa 1885 Gurmully & Jeffery Ideal 50-inch-high wheel
made under license from Pope was $3,500.
A primo pair of 1949 restored Shelby Donald Duck bicycles with
balloon tires, one a boy's and the other a girl's bike, each with
a full Donald Duck head, realized $6,600.
Nineteenth Century Hurtu advertising poster, $825.
A handsome 1887 Victor 52-inch Light Roadster in excellent
condition with stirrup grips and all brake hardware realized
$5,750, while an 1897 Old Hickory man's wooden frame pneumatic
safety bicycle having wooden handlebars and original name badge
went for $5,250.
It was not all bicycles; some good ephemera also crossed the
block. A large (335) and comprehensive collection of bicycle pin
back buttons and lapel pins that must have taken a lifetime to
assemble brought $5,500, and a collection of 121 photographic
bicycle postcards went for $1,650.
An appealing and colorful Nineteenth Century French poster for
Hurtu showing a chic Victorian woman aboard a pneumatic safety
sold for $825. The poster was printed in Paris by Charles
Verneau.
All prices quoted reflect the flat 12 percent buyers' premium.
