1869 English Velocipede
with ‘Star’ steering head transfer (decal)
34″ Front wheel
28″ Rear wheel
LENGTH: 60″
WIDTH: 24″
HEIGHT: 50″
Though they were built in just a short period – from 1868 to 1870 – the overwhelming majority of English velocipedes have unknown makers. Such was the enthusiasm for this novel means of transportation that hundreds of engineers, blacksmiths, coach-builders, wheelwrights, sewing machine manufacturers, toolmakers, gunsmiths and the like jumped on the bandwagon to create a new cycle industry.
The advertising industry was still in its infancy in 1869. Even when a velocipede was advertised for sale in a newspaper or magazine, few were illustrated. And even if there was a picture, the differences between them were mostly in the fine details, which is too hard to discern from a line drawing. There is no known list of all the makers. So it is almost impossible to attribute a manufacturer to a machine nowadays, and the best information that cycle historians can usually offer is the country in which an unknown velocipede was manufactured.
I believe this to be of British manufacture because of the wheel diameters, which are exactly 34″ and 28″ rather than corresponding to centimetres. Also the fact that it carries a ‘Star’ transfer (decal) on the steering head. I own an early 1900s gents’ tricycle with a similar head transfer, but I don’t know its manufacturer. I suspect that the transfer relates to an old-time cycle collection or cycle shop display rather than being applied when the velocipede was new.
This velocipede, built around 155 years ago, is in sound overall condition, and its metalwork and wheels still show the remains of original paint and coach lines. The front wheel seems tight but the rear one could do with servicing. Its wooden pedal blocks and saddle are missing and the footrest has been crudely removed. An unusual feature is its dropped spring. I find it hard to believe that this could have been caused by a heavy rider, and I think it was made like this so that it could be used by a rider who was shorter in the leg. The standover height is 34.5″ which is similar to an early roadster bicycle with a 24″ frame and 28″ wheels.
It has been in storage for many decades, and I’ve done nothing to it except wheel it out and photograph it. This is exactly how we like to find our bicycles, and its new owner will have the pleasure of fettling it to their personal taste.
DECALQUER
The technique was invented by Simon Francois Ravenet, a French engraver who moved to England to perfect the process he called ‘décalquer’ (meaning to copy by tracing); it became widespread during the decal craze of the late 19th century. Other names used over the years were ‘mineral transfers’ in the USA, and ‘diaphanies’ or ‘cockamanies’ in England (hence the word ‘cockamamie’) and ‘lithographs’ and ‘lithoplanies’ in Europe.
The process of lithographic or chromolithographic decoration involved the production of a pattern on paper or paper-backed sheets, from which the design was transferred onto a ceramic vessel. This enables the accurate and uniform reproduction of logos, drawings, paintings and illustrations in single or multiple colors. Decals were not stickers applied to a vessel; they were enameled images transferred to the vessel. The first experimentation with decals as a method to decorate pottery occurred in Europe in the 1830s, but it wasn’t until the late 1870s that ceramic manufacturers in France made significant technological advances in the use of decals. Attempts to copy this technology were made without success in Trenton, New Jersey at about the same time. The use of decals on American-made ceramics was rare prior to around 1900, appearing primarily on imported European porcelains before that time …the earliest successful decals were manufactured in England, France and Germany.
The art of gilding – applying fine gold leaf to solid surfaces – goes back thousands of years. Historically, gold leaf was used to provide a perception of high value and importance, which no doubt unconsciously draws our attention to them on a bicycle. But surely it’s their temporariness that is a major aspect of their attraction …the idea of ‘cheating time?’ Like a beautiful butterfly that lives only for a day or two, transfers usually have a short life span compared to the rest of the machine – ironically, if an owner cares too much for their bicycle, and polishes it frequently, the transfers are rubbed out.
VELOCIPEDE RIDING SCHOOL
Decal history – http://ceramicdecals.org/History_of_Decals.html
