14th Feb, 2024 10:00

February Classic Vehicles & Memorabilia Auction

 
Lot 7
 

7

PENNY FARTHING DEC 1877 No 4687

Sold for £2,150
Estimated at £800 - £1,000

Note that some lots may be sold provisionally


Lot details

Location: PICKERING
You can view from: Monday 5 February - Tuesday 13 February 2024

Please note: We do not ship memorabilia items. Please arrange to collect your items in person

Penny Farthing invincible , surrey machinists stackman st London by Royal Letters patent Dec 1877 No 4687

Wheel diameter: 52 inches

The venoder has provided the following:

Accepting that the machine is a Surrey Machinist (Invincible model) the actual year of manufacture looking at the photographs, is nearer 1887 than the published 1877.
1877 actually being the year that the Surrey Machinist Company started manufacture, one of around four hundred UK companies building what at first was simply known as “ The Bicycle “
With the arrival of the basic design of today’s cycles (1885c) the word ‘Ordinary’ was added to differentiate from the new design, which was named the Safety bicycle.
Little History :- The term Penny Farthing was a media attempt to ridicule the Ordinary Bicycle, introduced around 1890 at the end of the designs life span (1870 - 1890c) nevertheless it has today worldwide become the accepted name, although today’s generation have no idea what a penny or farthing was.
The serial No.4687 also suggests a later date than 1877, and the company address is correct .. but missing from your description is an essential measurement being the front wheel diameter, required possibly by a buyer if intending to ride the machine.
E.G. ~ A six foot tall person would not be able to say ride a 48” wheel but would require say a 56” dia wheel.
As an added point, the front wheel rim appears to be an original having feathered edges, a good sign of the machines all-round originality.
 

Location: PICKERING
You can view from: Monday 5 February - Tuesday 13 February 2024

Please note: We do not ship memorabilia items. Please arrange to collect your items in person

Penny Farthing invincible , surrey machinists stackman st London by Royal Letters patent Dec 1877 No 4687

Wheel diameter: 52 inches

The venoder has provided the following:

Accepting that the machine is a Surrey Machinist (Invincible model) the actual year of manufacture looking at the photographs, is nearer 1887 than the published 1877.
1877 actually being the year that the Surrey Machinist Company started manufacture, one of around four hundred UK companies building what at first was simply known as “ The Bicycle “
With the arrival of the basic design of today’s cycles (1885c) the word ‘Ordinary’ was added to differentiate from the new design, which was named the Safety bicycle.
Little History :- The term Penny Farthing was a media attempt to ridicule the Ordinary Bicycle, introduced around 1890 at the end of the designs life span (1870 - 1890c) nevertheless it has today worldwide become the accepted name, although today’s generation have no idea what a penny or farthing was.
The serial No.4687 also suggests a later date than 1877, and the company address is correct .. but missing from your description is an essential measurement being the front wheel diameter, required possibly by a buyer if intending to ride the machine.
E.G. ~ A six foot tall person would not be able to say ride a 48” wheel but would require say a 56” dia wheel.
As an added point, the front wheel rim appears to be an original having feathered edges, a good sign of the machines all-round originality.

Auction: February Classic Vehicles & Memorabilia Auction, 14th Feb, 2024

Welcome to our February Auction!

Prospective buyers are encouraged to view specific lots pre-auction and inspect paperwork if available.

The main viewing period for this auction is Monday 5 February - Tuesday 13 February 2024.

This auction is fully consigned.

Viewing

The main viewing period for this auction is Monday 5 February - Tuesday 13 February 2024.

Mon to Fri: 9am – 5pm

Sat: 9am – 1pm

Auction Days are closed.

View all lots in this sale