LOS TALLERES DE LA ‘RALEIGH CYCLE COMPANY LIMITED’ estan situados en Lenton, Nottingham (Inglaterra). Hace mas de 30 anos los establecieron unos hombres laboriosos que dedicaron sus vidas a la production de no solamente bicicletas se alta calidad, sino de bicicletas que siempre reunen las ultimas mejores. Ano tras ano, con adelantos siempre en aumento, la compania ha ensanchado sus talleres hasta que, desde un modestisimo taller, estos se han transformado en una fabrica gigantesca llena de maquinaria, que cubre mas de 7 hectareas y da emplo a mas de 2,500 operarios.
– 1922 Raleigh Catalogue
‘This is the Age of Steel!’ proclaimed Raleigh in their advertising brochure, pointing out that their ‘All-Steel Bicycle’ describes the fundamental difference between the Raleigh and other bicycles. It is a testament to the quality of manufacturing of that time that this machine is still in good running order nearly nine decades later.
In 1923, Great Britain was the world’s leading industrial nation, and bicycles one of its leading exports, so Raleigh’s catalogue was printed in a variety of languages. Given his record in the wars between Spain and England, I’m not sure how the Spanish version was received when accompanied by the reference, below, to Sir Walter Raleigh.
1923 Lady’s Special Raleigh
24″ Frame
28″ Wheels
Frame No 840805
Sturmey-Archer 3-Speed (‘Model K’) Gears
Lucas ‘No 82’ Bell
Raleigh Patent detachable oilbath Gear case
Original Green Enamel Finish with 22ct Gold leaf Lining
Amazing Original Condition, with all Transfers (Decals) Intact.
Fully Serviced and Ready to Ride
Raleigh’s Lifetime Guarantee!
(Now sold)
An original vintage bicycle of this quality rarely comes onto the general market. Enthusiasts find out about them before they are advertised …so they simply move from one collection to another.
Top quality vintage machines are very viable investments in times of economic duress. When you put your money into a wonderfully preserved and original 91-year-old bicycle such as this – at £13 10/- it was an expensive bicycle when it was new – you will be rewarded with an appreciating asset that also provides excellent daily transport, healthy exercise, and is a fabulous conversation piece wherever it goes…
This Lady’s Special Raleigh is finished in green enamel, with green Dover handlebar grips and a green Raleigh inflator pump. The paintwork is scratched here and there from its nine decades of existence, but the gold leaf box lining and all transfers (decals) are intact. You can see that she has had a cherished life, being hardly used since new, and passed down through generations who showed her the respect she deserves. Apart from tyres, inner tubes and the air within, every component appears to be original.
