Wooden bicycles and tricycles for children manufactured in similar fashion to the original velocipedes of 1869 were popular even into the early twentieth century. Most had no maker’s name; the majority also had no individual identifying features, their parts having been made by blacksmiths and wheelwrights, and assembled by a local shop. However, there were a number of patents covering their fittings and, as you can see, the velocipede featured here uses some designs patented by P.J Marqua in 1874, such as the wooden seat and its cast iron support (compare above and below).
The wooden tricycle frame is also similar to the patent illustration. But the steering head (joining the frame to the front fork) has a much improved fitting, leading me to believe that this tyricycle is later than the patent date. Wooden frames were replaced by metal frames by the end of the 1880s.
1880 Boys’ Wooden Velocipede Bicycle
(1874 Marqua patent)
Front Wheel 25″
Rear Wheels 20″
Metal band tyres
LENGTH: 48″
HEIGHT: 37″
(Now sold)
Tricycles were more popular than bicycles, being easier for younger children to ride. However, this first generation of juvenile tricycle had one drawback – they had a narrow track at the rear, ie the wheels were close together. That was less important when the tricycle was a smaller size model (for example with a 15″ front wheel and 10″ rear wheels). But with a larger one such as this (with 25″ front wheel and 20″ rear wheels), the centre of gravity was too high and it became unstable. The instability is exacerbated by the fact that the rear axle and hubs are very basic. In my opinion, this led to more of them being used as nursery decoration, which gave them a better chance of survival.
This example is an older restoration and is in good working order (though, being wooden and 140 years old, should be treated with care).
MARQUA PATENT
OTHER PATENTS: 1882 WATSON A HEATH VELOCIPEDE FITTINGS PATENT
OTHER PATENTS: 1881 G.W MARBLE PATENT
