with Alan Blakeman of BBR Auctions, Elsecar
bike... On yer
pastime for both young and old. But it’s a hobby that has gone the distance for over 200 years. The first proven two-wheel propelled contraption, the archetype of bicycles per se, was the 1817 German ‘draisine’; the actual term ‘bicycle’ being coined in France in the 1860s.
Sporting events on the scale of the Tour de Yorkshire are akin to Wimbledon and the Winter Olympics; inspiring all to take out their tennis rackets, book a skiing trip, or, in this instance, get on their bikes.
As the cycling event hits Barnsley this May and two-wheel fever grabs the nation, I thought what better chance to look at the development of the bicycle and range of collecting possibilities in that field. Having just returned from a short rock climbing trip to Spain, where every country road seemed to be sporting a bicycle race, it is evident lycra-clad biking is definitely a rising
Scottish blacksmith, Robert Kirkpatrick, is believed by some to have been the first manufacturer of a mechanically propelled two-wheel vehicle. Around that time the French and American markets welcomed the first mass produced bikes called ‘velocipedes’ in France, but dubbed ‘bone shakers’ in America. The chance of a collector discovering an example of these early inventions is almost impossible. However, if you are keen, it is possible to acquire an all time classic penny farthing from the Victorian period featuring huge front wheel, wire spoke tensioned, and much smaller rear one. Reproductions are also available for those wanting a novelty form of transport for under £500. Up to the 1950s our roads and country lanes were generally much quieter than today’s infamously jammed highways. Cycling from A to B was for most folk the only affordable option. After the Second World War as we became more affluent, bicycles developed in
leaps and bounds resulting in those familiar bent handlebars found on lightweight road racers. The early 70s saw the rise in popularity of the Chopper with two small wheels - the rear being the larger - the Grifter and onto modern day mountain bikes and BMX’s.
There are two museums devoted to the history of the push bike: the Cycle Museum in Higher Walton, near Warrington; and another, the National Cycle Museum at Llandrindod Wells, Powys, near the lower-middle part of Wales. Collectors can seek out various
ANTIQUES
past cycle designs for fun riding or displaying. If decoration is the main reason for collecting, adorn garden walls with colourful old enamel signs featuring famous names such as Nottingham’s Raleigh or extremely rare small scale manufacturers, for which prices tend to climb. For enamel signs condition is the all important factor. BBR will be offering a number of them in their specialist Antique Advertising auction on Sunday 6th May down at Elsecar with a full week long preview.
BBR’s Spring Extravaganza Europe’s LARGEST specialist quarterly event of its type
Antique Bottles, Pot Lids, Advertising & Collectables
Sat GENERAL AUCTION Highly varied & eclectic spread, single items to group lots across BBR’s entire range. Maybe our very best ever Saturday spread?
Sat 21 & Sun 22 April
Sun - BIG quarterly Fair 120 -150 stallholders from all over UK + MAJOR LIVE cat’d auction E.E. 8.30am £5 ord admission 10am £2 Auction 11am Both sales: View & bid LIVE online: easyliveauctions
J. SHAW ANTIQUES
Celebrating 50 years buying & selling antiques and fine arts ALWAYS WANTED
any antique and retro furniture, clocks, paintings, porcelain, pottery, silver and bronze.
Bereaved homes cleared to your specification.
Free valuation on items brought in between 10am and 12 noon Saturdays.
Tel: 01709 522340 Email:
sales@johnshawantiques.co.uk
Sun 6 May Antique
BBR AUCTIONS
Advertising & Breweriana Auction Auction 11am
ALL sales: listen LIVE, BID LIVE @: Full week preview Mon to Fri 9 to 4
Seeking quality consignments/ entire collections
• Nationwide pick up • Unbeatable all-inclusive comm’n • Bidding: LIVE, online, tel & absentee • Est’d 1979 Worldwide customer network/ database
BBR, Elsecar Heritage Centre, Nr Barnsley, S. Yorks., S74 8HJ t: 01226 745156 e:
sales@onlinebbr.com www.onlinebbr.com
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