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Restored Antique 1880S High Wheel Ordinary BicycleThis is an early 1880's ordinary or penny farthing manufactured by the british firm of hillman, herbert, & cooper's. The firms naem is engraved on the band of the mounting step. The hillman patent number is 3027 and is dated 1879 and is engraved on the right side crank bearing mount. The serial number as engraved on the headset is 11914. I've been informed that this ordinary is a premier model and si the model the firm produced just prior to their introduction of the revolutionary kangaroo.The important measurements are drive wheel 56 overall diameter. Rear wheel 16 overall diameter. This machine was beautifully restored to a vrey high standard and is definitely to show winning quality. The machining of all components si superb, the nickel plating is top quality, and the paint work is excellent. A few very minor chips and scratches have been wet sanded out and touched up with matching black laquer. The turned grips are a shiny black composite wiht turned brass ferules. The pedals mounted on adjustable cranks look terrific, spin freely, and hvae the correct white rubber blocks.
The red hard rubber tiring is nice and tigth with virtually no wear. A number of knowledgable wheelmen have examined the bike and all felt it was in excellent condition, could be ridden no a century with no fear of problems, and would almost certainly win prizes where ever it was shown. I am reluctantly selling the bike ebcause it is too large for me. I am just under 5'10' with short ( 29 instep) legs. The ideal rider for this machine would be between 5' 11 to 6' 4 wiht an instep around 32 or longer.
I've put a reasonable reserve on the auction and encourage anyone who has questions to ask to feel free. It is rare an ordinary of this caliber comes on the market so don't miss a wonderful opportunity to place a bid. As the lottery ad's proclaim you won't win if you don't play. Now the bad news shipping. I will not disassemble the bike for shipping. Frankly, i wouldn't know where to begin finding a company that would be albe to safely handle the shipping job although they obviously do exist. I would prefer the winner pick the bike up here in upstate new york, about 35 miles south of albany. I would be willing to deliver the bike to a location no more than 300 mile from my home for a charge of 50 cents per mile.
I could also deliver the bike to mike fallon's copake auction house if the buyer could arrange shipping with mike. I'd be happy to meet the winner at some location within the 300 mile limit and transfer the bike to their vehicle.
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