1890s Ordinary (Penny farthing) Trick Cyclist 32″ Wheel

1890s Ordinary (Penny farthing) 

32″ Front wheel

Nickel finish

Lamplugh & Brown Long Distance saddle (repro)

Previously owned by Trick Cyclist Harry Park

Harry Park was “one of the world’s greatest high wheel and unicycle trick riders.” He was born in 1870 and started in vaudeville from an early age, and performed trick cycling shows in the early 1900s with his wife Gertrude as ‘The Parques.’ He was pictured in a newspaper in 1950, with the caption: ” 80 years old, blind, but game.”

Harry Park used many different bicycles throughout his life, but this was his personal machine. It’s nickel plated and in good condition cosmetically and mechanically, though it could do with a clean and polish. When it was used for trick riding, it had a modern saddle and masking tape in place of handlebar grips. I’ve replaced these with original grips and a reproduction Lamplugh & Brown Long Distance saddle.

It’s fully functional and ready to ride as a regular daily machine and it would also make a wonderful museum display.

 

 

HARRY PARK

Harry and his wife Gertrude used the stage name THE PARQUES for many of their performances in the early 1900s.