RAGLAN CYCLE CO
George Cooper had formerly been with Hillman, Herbert & Cooper, one of the most innovative early cycle firms, (they subsequently adopted the name of one of their leading cycle brands – ‘Premier’ – for their company name). Hillman left that company to form what became the Hillman car group. Cooper created a new company ‘Taylor, Cooper & Bednell Ltd’. As it traded from Raglan Works in Coventry, his company soon became the ‘Raglan Cycle Co’ . It also had an address at 33 Holborn Viaduct, London, in 1898, and at 59, 60 and 61 Hatton Garden, London in 1903. Raglan was a small company but they produced top quality machines, and had a sizeable export market. The Raglan name is little known today, and this example is one of few known survivors of the marque.
1906 Raglan Lady’s Safety
23″ Frame
28″ Wheels
(Now sold)
This rare machine comes from my old friend Pete. His entire family used to be avid vintage cyclists, and this beautifully original lady’s safety bicycle has been owned and ridden by his mother for many years. She has now given up riding so Pete passed it on to me. I bought it because it is rare to find a bicycle made by Raglan, and I’ll take more photos to document the company after I’ve collected the bicycle.