: Copake Auction, Inc conducted its 12th Annual Antique Bicycle
Auction on Saturday, April 12. Copake Auction founder and
auctioneer Mike Fallon described the sale as "a rousing success."
Said Fallon, "Our low estimate of $230,000 was far exceeded with
a gross of $309,000."
As part of the event, the Fallons also added a swap meet on the
Friday before the sale, which was conducted behind the gallery in
a sheep meadow. "The swap meet has become quite an event," said
Fallon. "You are likely to find anything bicycle-related - from a
rare highwheel or early boneshaker to a 1950s Italian track bike
and lots of parts and accessories."
Vendors from all over the United States, Canada and Europe set up
and take part in the meet. "It is an exciting way to warm up the
crowd for buying at the auction," commented general manager Seth
Fallon.
Saturday's sale started out strong with an 1890s Star highwheel
safety reaching $10,725, far beyond its conservative estimate of
$4/6,000. The strong prices continued with a circa 1860s
Pickering-style boneshaker bringing $4,620. Another highwheel,
this one having a sophisticated gear drive and manufactured by
the Springfield Bicycle Mfg. Co., Boston, sold to a California
collector bidding on the phone for $5,280. A rare Nineteenth
Century bicycle oil lamp "Fireball" sold to the same collector
for $1,210.
This circa 1860s Pickering-style boneshaker brought $4,620.
An Eagle Roadster, circa 1890, made in Stamford, Conn.,
attracted lots of attention. It was recovered from an attic where
it had been stored for the last 25 years. It sold to a phone bidder
for $11,000. Consigned by a noted Florida collector, a circa 1885
Victor 56-inch highwheel soared to $9,900.
Other highwheels that did well included a French Renard 52-inch
for $3,860; a rare circa 1887 36-inch junior size machine for
$6,050; a 32-inch youth size for $2,860; a 50-inch Columbia
"Standard" for $4,180; and a contemporary Spillane replica made
$2,860.
The top hard tire safety was a restored 1889 Victor Model C,
which originally cost $135 new and sold for $9,075. An 1889
Columbia Light Roadster made $4,125; a circa 1889 cross frame
example sold for $2,860; a very scarce 1887 Victor "Victoria"
brought $6,050.
Early pneumatic safeties included a circa 1922 leaf spring
safety, thought to be an Indian, which sold for $1,100, and a
1917 Hendee framed Indian with original pal sidecar, an excellent
buy at $2,200. The latter was consigned the day before the
auction and was not included in the catalog or on the website.
"We always have some gems at the sale that turn up too late for
the catalog," said Mike Fallon. "This gives the customers who
attend the auction an advantage over the absentee bidders."
Balloon bicycles fared well at the auction, especially the prewar
examples. A 1937 Roadmaster Supreme made $8,635; a 1938 Silver
King "Wingbar" sold for $3,300; a 1937 Silver King "Flo Cycle"
brought $2,200; a Shelby Super Airflow made $1,650; a circa 1951
Shelby Donald Duck 24-inch boys bike (ex-Steve Castelli
collection) sold for $4,620; a circa 1945 World War II military
model (also ex-Steve Castelli) sold for $2,750.
Books from the Pope Manufacturing Co. reference library ranged
in price from $350 to $2,100 each. A total of 26 volumes were
sold, grossing more than $22,000.
Accessories and collectibles are a large part of the items
offered at auction and include such items as penknives, medals,
steins, locks, German bisque statues, pin back buttons, games, toys
and posters. Some of the more interesting of these included a
highwheel spelter metal thermometer selling for $935; a highwheel
knife holder for $633; highwheel match safe, $678; highwheel napkin
ring, $495; "ABC" mug with highwheel motif, $220; and an
advertising pin, "The Thistle," $407. A collection of 12 souvenir
spoons ranged in price from $115 to $750.
Books from the Pope Manufacturing Co. reference library were
highly sought after and ranged in price from $350 to $2,100 each.
A total of 26 volumes were sold, grossing more than $22,000.
Full color illustrated catalogs for this and past sales are
available from the Copake Auction. The deadline for consigning
for the April 17, 2004, bicycle auction is November 2003.
Auctioneer Fallon said he already has more than 100 items
consigned for next year's sale and encourages people to get their
items in early. "Every year we have too many people who wait
until the last minute," said Fallon. "It is unfortunate when we
have a great item that we are unable to photograph and get in the
catalog."
