In common with other top manufacturers of the day, Metropolitan Machinists’ Co offered a wide variety of machines to the public. Their 1890 catalogue included eleven tricycles, eighteen safety bicycles and eight penny farthings. As well as one ladies’ (single tube) model, and older style cross frames, there were eight safety models which featured the latest diamond frame design.
As well as selling in Britain, Metropolitan Machinists built up an enviable export market, particularly in America, Europe and Asia. There was a tie up with Clement & Cie, one of France’s leading cycle companies at that time, and Clement sold whjat appears to be the same tricycle. I assume they built it under licence, as Metropolitan Machinists also advertised it in France (see below).
1889 Metropolitan Machinists Co ‘Juno’ Tricycle
Cripper style, for Ladies or Gentlemen
Also made by Clement & Cie of France
Spring steering head
30″ Rear wheels
28″ Front wheel
Solid tyres
LENGTH: 66″
WIDTH: 34″
HEIGHT: 40″
(Now sold)
This lovely tricycle was a state-of-the-art machine 130 years ago. It was owned for many years by Edmund Hall who rode it regularly in veteran cycle events. I bought it from his son, my friend Ian.
The style of tricycle, originally designed (but not patented) by Humber, is suitable for both ladies and gentlement. A lady would be able to gather up her skirts and mount from the side, whereas a gentleman would get on from the rear, using the steps on top of the rear axle (shown in detail further down the page). It’s in excellent condition all round, and ready to ride.
METROPOLITAN MACHINISTS’ Co LTD
75-6 Bishopgate Street Without, London, E.C
The original partners were Thomas Fuller Toovey and William Harland Hebb. The company was established in 1862 and based at 75 & 76 Bishopsgate Street Without, London. They produced bicycles and tricycles under the ‘Juno’ trade name, and ‘King of the Road’ and ‘Mazeppa’ high-wheelers from c.1883-90. There was a ‘Black Bess’ tricycle produced in 1884. In 1887 the ‘Gnat’ tricycle, which had been made from at least 1884, became the ‘Juno’ folder – able to pass through a 28 in. doorway. There were 39 models listed in their 1890 catalogue. New pattern diamond-frame and double diamond-frame ‘Juno’ safeties were introduced for 1890 as well as a ladies ‘Juno’ spring-frame. In 1894-5 racers were advertised as weighing 22lb and roadsters at 28lb. The company was still listed in business at the above address in 1902 and also at 3 Shaftesbury Avenue in 1903. In 1924 their road racers were £6 and £7 10s. In 1929 they were selling machines from £3 15s. It seems to have faded out about 1938. *
The two partners also owned another company, the ‘London Cycle Supply Association.’ Cycle makers often had a variety of outlets for their goods: over the years, different districts of London became central points for cycle businesses, so it was important for each maker to be represented in those areas if their main firm was established elsewhere. The partnership was dissolved in 1883, with William Harland Hebb carrying on in the two companies.
PREVIOUS OWNER EDMUND HALL RIDING THE JUNO
REAR AXLE & REAR MOUNTING STEPS
If a lady owned a tricycle like this she would get on it from the side. A gentleman, however, would mount it from the rear, using the steps on top of the rear axle (shown above).
1890 METROPOLITAN MACHINISTS’ Co CATALOGUE EXTRACTS
CLEMENT & CIE, FRANCE
ORDER FORM
To order your Juno tricycle, please complete the form below, and send it to:
Metropolitan Machinists’ Co Ltd, 75 Bishopsgate St, London, E.C
…alternatively, you can drop your order form in personally, though the street no longer looks like it does in the photo below. I think No 75 Bishopsgate is now a skyscraper?
* Company info with thanks to Ray Miller’s Encyclopaedia, 3rd Edition