Page 31 - June 2018 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
P. 31
Why keep these six?
These few bicycles represent a unique time span often called the Golden Age
of Cycling. They have great appearance, importance, and represent wonderful
memories. And they balance the collection esthetically and historically. Visitors
can grasp a lot more context when an antique bicycle is at their side.
What appeals to you about cycliana?
The field covers transportation, sport, society, industry, commerce, and
entertainment. It is an integral aspect of the birth and development of
automobiles, motorcycles, and even airplanes, along with their huge
associated industries.
Bicycle racing became the biggest spectator event in the world. The graphics,
history, art, collectibles, and memorabilia were mine
to discover and I became fascinated with each aspect
within the field. The history of the bicycle is a vast
subject and so much more could be added, but
space is a limiting factor.
What are some of the more coveted items
in your collection?
- A French cast Bronze Automaton Clock of a An example of a hand colored English Hobby-horse
High Wheel cyclist, circa 1890, with revolving copper etching of which this is one of about 65 in
wheels, a Thermometer, and Barometer. I acquired the collection, circa 1819
this in The Netherlands and could only obtain to and paid around $3,500 for annually. With few books and
this by buying the owners complete collection. A virtually no relative price guides, determining values was
complicated and expensive acquisition, but well difficult. Today there are fewer antique shows, dramatically
worth the time, effort, and cost. fewer antique shops which have been supplanted by antique
- The American Patent Office Model for a malls, and only a few specialist auction houses. As an example,
bicycle identified as an Otto Dicycle. Built in 1882 in England during the 1970s and ‘80s, one could buy from
it has the wheels side-by-side. I obtained the lead Phillips, Sotheby’s, and Christies. Some companies that
from a dealer, whom I rewarded. I then had to fly to handled cycling sales either no longer exist or no longer have
Seattle, Washington to acquire this. specialist sales.
- I consider the Silver & Gold belt buckle The internet has had a huge impact on availability.
from 1869 presented to Charles Delmonico of Early Daguerreotype dated 1850 taken in Two internet collectors’ sites to visit are “The Wheelmen”
Delmonico’s Restaurant fame to be one of the finest Cincinnati, Ohio with provenance (thewheelmen.org) and “The Cabe” (thecabe.com). A favorite
objects ever created as a piece of cycling memorabilia. of a manumotive velocipede; this being for many is eBay. Copake Auction in Copake, NY, has an
I traded a very rare bicycle from a friend and fellow one of the earliest photos of annual specialist vintage and antique cycliana sale.
collector in Vermont to obtain it. a human powered vehicle known To find rare and collectible books in the 1970s I had to pay
- The earliest known (at this time) example of a for a “Book Search” service. I might hear from them once a
dated photograph with provenance capturing the month with an offering or two. Today I can go to
image of a manumotive vehicle. Dated 1850, it is a AbeBooks.com and buy a library full of cycling books of all
daguerreotype and is by F. B. James of Cincinnati, types in a very short period of time.
Ohio who became a Colonel during the Civil War. There are many other antique auction and book vending
Provenance came years later when another photo sites. What is mentioned only scratches the surface. So
of Frank B. James appeared on the internet as being where we search and spend our time today “in the hunt” is
a part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s hardly the same. Even in the old days when we found
Collection in New York. I acquired this on eBay something special it was likely the antique dealer who did not
in 2003, but only understood its true historic know its value to a cycliana collector. Today virtually everyone
importance in 2017. has availability to the internet so it is more difficult to find the
- A primitive piece of art in watercolor capturing proverbial “sleeper.” Next is the cost factor. As an example,
the only known example of a lady on a hobby-horse bikes were more economical in relative dollars and there were
in motion. The image is circa 1819. There is other fewer collectors.
art with these types of cycles but very few examples There are lots of factors that changed but the thrill of collecting has not.
known with ladies. I acquired it from an antiques Silver Belt Buckle (7-1/2”
dealer in England after receiving a tip from a What advice do you have for collectors looking at Cycliana?
wide) awarded to Charles
fellow collector who did not have interest in this era Delmonico, circa 1868, Before you start collecting in a serious manner—if you have an opportunity
of cycling. of New York’s famous —read books about the subject that most interests you. The internet can be a
How has the collector market for cycliana Delmonico’s Restaurant mine of information. Visit cycling museums or local collections. Buy the best
changed over the years? (in the background) you can afford instead of a mass of stuff, and don’t be afraid to buy from
From the 1960s to the mid-1990s, the best way awarded as Champion advanced collectors. They can usually be trusted and have a myriad of reasons
to acquire objects was from other collectors, antique Velocipedist of America to purge items with experience-based pricing. Restoration is generally frowned
upon while conservation is preferred. And, it doesn’t have to be in perfect
shops, and a few auctions. Most of the major condition when considering a rarity.
auction houses produced catalogs that I subscribed
Photography is very condition-oriented. I used to be adamant that the
mount needs to be perfect, the image sharp and the colors strong. Today, I’m
willing to accept faults if the image is a rarity. It no longer has to be pristine;
the importance of the object can take precedence over condition.
Bear in mind the reason for your purchasing decision can be made when
you differentiate between collecting and decorating. Finding a focus within
the field might come about after spending some time collecting. Perhaps if you
are so inclined and wish to get immersed, try to find a vintage or antique
bicycle to ride.
To contact Lorne Shields regarding his collection, email him at
lorne-shields@rogers.com
At left: Part of a collection of porcelain Fairings depicting humorous Velocipede
scenes, circa 1869 (about 4" tall average) produced by Conta & Boehme
June 2019 29
These few bicycles represent a unique time span often called the Golden Age
of Cycling. They have great appearance, importance, and represent wonderful
memories. And they balance the collection esthetically and historically. Visitors
can grasp a lot more context when an antique bicycle is at their side.
What appeals to you about cycliana?
The field covers transportation, sport, society, industry, commerce, and
entertainment. It is an integral aspect of the birth and development of
automobiles, motorcycles, and even airplanes, along with their huge
associated industries.
Bicycle racing became the biggest spectator event in the world. The graphics,
history, art, collectibles, and memorabilia were mine
to discover and I became fascinated with each aspect
within the field. The history of the bicycle is a vast
subject and so much more could be added, but
space is a limiting factor.
What are some of the more coveted items
in your collection?
- A French cast Bronze Automaton Clock of a An example of a hand colored English Hobby-horse
High Wheel cyclist, circa 1890, with revolving copper etching of which this is one of about 65 in
wheels, a Thermometer, and Barometer. I acquired the collection, circa 1819
this in The Netherlands and could only obtain to and paid around $3,500 for annually. With few books and
this by buying the owners complete collection. A virtually no relative price guides, determining values was
complicated and expensive acquisition, but well difficult. Today there are fewer antique shows, dramatically
worth the time, effort, and cost. fewer antique shops which have been supplanted by antique
- The American Patent Office Model for a malls, and only a few specialist auction houses. As an example,
bicycle identified as an Otto Dicycle. Built in 1882 in England during the 1970s and ‘80s, one could buy from
it has the wheels side-by-side. I obtained the lead Phillips, Sotheby’s, and Christies. Some companies that
from a dealer, whom I rewarded. I then had to fly to handled cycling sales either no longer exist or no longer have
Seattle, Washington to acquire this. specialist sales.
- I consider the Silver & Gold belt buckle The internet has had a huge impact on availability.
from 1869 presented to Charles Delmonico of Early Daguerreotype dated 1850 taken in Two internet collectors’ sites to visit are “The Wheelmen”
Delmonico’s Restaurant fame to be one of the finest Cincinnati, Ohio with provenance (thewheelmen.org) and “The Cabe” (thecabe.com). A favorite
objects ever created as a piece of cycling memorabilia. of a manumotive velocipede; this being for many is eBay. Copake Auction in Copake, NY, has an
I traded a very rare bicycle from a friend and fellow one of the earliest photos of annual specialist vintage and antique cycliana sale.
collector in Vermont to obtain it. a human powered vehicle known To find rare and collectible books in the 1970s I had to pay
- The earliest known (at this time) example of a for a “Book Search” service. I might hear from them once a
dated photograph with provenance capturing the month with an offering or two. Today I can go to
image of a manumotive vehicle. Dated 1850, it is a AbeBooks.com and buy a library full of cycling books of all
daguerreotype and is by F. B. James of Cincinnati, types in a very short period of time.
Ohio who became a Colonel during the Civil War. There are many other antique auction and book vending
Provenance came years later when another photo sites. What is mentioned only scratches the surface. So
of Frank B. James appeared on the internet as being where we search and spend our time today “in the hunt” is
a part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s hardly the same. Even in the old days when we found
Collection in New York. I acquired this on eBay something special it was likely the antique dealer who did not
in 2003, but only understood its true historic know its value to a cycliana collector. Today virtually everyone
importance in 2017. has availability to the internet so it is more difficult to find the
- A primitive piece of art in watercolor capturing proverbial “sleeper.” Next is the cost factor. As an example,
the only known example of a lady on a hobby-horse bikes were more economical in relative dollars and there were
in motion. The image is circa 1819. There is other fewer collectors.
art with these types of cycles but very few examples There are lots of factors that changed but the thrill of collecting has not.
known with ladies. I acquired it from an antiques Silver Belt Buckle (7-1/2”
dealer in England after receiving a tip from a What advice do you have for collectors looking at Cycliana?
wide) awarded to Charles
fellow collector who did not have interest in this era Delmonico, circa 1868, Before you start collecting in a serious manner—if you have an opportunity
of cycling. of New York’s famous —read books about the subject that most interests you. The internet can be a
How has the collector market for cycliana Delmonico’s Restaurant mine of information. Visit cycling museums or local collections. Buy the best
changed over the years? (in the background) you can afford instead of a mass of stuff, and don’t be afraid to buy from
From the 1960s to the mid-1990s, the best way awarded as Champion advanced collectors. They can usually be trusted and have a myriad of reasons
to acquire objects was from other collectors, antique Velocipedist of America to purge items with experience-based pricing. Restoration is generally frowned
upon while conservation is preferred. And, it doesn’t have to be in perfect
shops, and a few auctions. Most of the major condition when considering a rarity.
auction houses produced catalogs that I subscribed
Photography is very condition-oriented. I used to be adamant that the
mount needs to be perfect, the image sharp and the colors strong. Today, I’m
willing to accept faults if the image is a rarity. It no longer has to be pristine;
the importance of the object can take precedence over condition.
Bear in mind the reason for your purchasing decision can be made when
you differentiate between collecting and decorating. Finding a focus within
the field might come about after spending some time collecting. Perhaps if you
are so inclined and wish to get immersed, try to find a vintage or antique
bicycle to ride.
To contact Lorne Shields regarding his collection, email him at
lorne-shields@rogers.com
At left: Part of a collection of porcelain Fairings depicting humorous Velocipede
scenes, circa 1869 (about 4" tall average) produced by Conta & Boehme
June 2019 29
