The Online Bicycle Museum

MAKERS: PREMIER Cycle Co

1889-Hillman-Herbert-Cooper-THE-PREMIER-65

In 1886, the innovative ‘Hillman, Herbert & Cooper’ company introduced the first successful safety bicycle. They named it ‘The Premier’.
In 1898, Edward, Prince of Wales, ordered a bicycle from Premier Cycle Co, the frame presumably built using the company’s unique helical steel tubing. The purchase was probably made on the advice of his brother Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, who had bought a Premier the previous year. Prince Arthur pursued a military career and at one time commanded a Cyclist Battalion (see photo). This model was accordingly named the ‘Royal Premier’.

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Items in this Collection

1871 Ariel Ordinary (Starley & Hillman patent) 0

1871 Ariel Ordinary (Starley & Hillman patent) Replica with Tangent spoked wheels

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1871 ARIEL – the first penny farthing 16 copy

1871 James Starley Ariel (Replica of the first penny farthing)

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1873 Ariel – the first penny farthing 1

1873 James Starley ‘Ariel’ Penny Farthing

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1884 Hillman Herbert Cooper PREMIER DHF 4

1884 Hillman Herbert Cooper PREMIER DHF

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1884-Hillman-Patent-KANGAROO-Dwarf-Safety-Bicycle-05

1884 KANGAROO Dwarf Safety Bicycle (Hillman Patent)

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1884 KANGAROO Dwarf Safety Bicycle

1884 KANGAROO Dwarf Safety Bicycle VIDEO

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1884 KANGAROO Safety Bicycle (Replica) 1 copy

1884 KANGAROO Safety Bicycle (Replica)

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1886 Premier cross frame 02

1886 Hillman, Herbert & Cooper ‘Premier’ Cross frame Safety

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HISTORY OF MILITARY BICYCLES

1886-1918 HISTORY OF MILITARY BICYCLES VIDEO

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1886 Premier Military 1 copy

1886/1887 Military Premier (Hillman, Herbert & Cooper)

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1888 HHC Premier Tandem Tricycle 68

1887 Hillman, Herbert & Cooper ‘Premier’ Tandem Tricycle

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1890 Hillman Herbert & Cooper ‘CATFORD’ PREMIER 05

1890 ‘Catford’ Premier ( The ‘Holbein No 1’)

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FOR SALE 1889-Hillman-Herbert-Cooper-THE-PREMIER-05

1890 Hillman Herbert & Cooper ‘The Premier’ Convertible

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FOR SALE 1890 Youths’ Premier Safety (Hillman, Herbert & Cooper) 5 copy

1890 Youths’ Premier Cross-frame Safety (Hillman, Herbert & Cooper)

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1891 Premier ‘Model F’

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1891 Premier Model F ‘Trough tube model’ 4 copy

1891 Premier Model F 

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1891-The-Premier-Model-F-04

1891 The Premier Model F (Restored)

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1893 Premier Model A3 05 copy

1893 Premier Safety ‘Model A3’ Road Racer

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1894 Premier Model A93 with Helical Tubing

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1895-Premier-Helical-38

1895 Premier with Helical Tubing

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1898 Premier Helical American 05

1896-1898 American Premier Helical (Bridgeport, Conn, USA)

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1896 Helical Premier 28 Frame 05

1896/1897 Helical Premier (Tall 28″ Frame)

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1898 Premier Gentlemen’s Tricycle 25

1898 Premier Gentlemen’s Tricycle

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1899-Premier-Helical-Tricycle-57

1899 Helical Premier Ladies’ Tricycle

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FOR SALE 1900 Premier Helical Ladies Tricycle 5 copy

1900 Premier Helical Ladies Tricycle

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1901 Helical Premier 1 copy

1901 Irish ‘Shamrock’ Helical Premier (Belfast, N. Ireland)

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1899 Premier Helical Track Racer 05

1901 Premier Helical Track Racer

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1905 Premier Hellical 05

1905 Premier No. 7 Helical

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1906 Premier Helical Truss Frame Wonder Woman

1906 Gentlemen’s Royal Premier No 3 Helical Truss Frame

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1908 Premier Tricycle with band brake 3 copy

1908 Premier Model 19 Lady’s Tricycle

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1 1909_premier_helical truss frame

1909 Royal Premier No. 3

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1911 Premier Royal 1

1911 Gentlemen’s Royal Premier (Tall 28″ frame)

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1911 Royal Premier 30″ Helical Truss Frame 05 copy

1911 Royal Premier Helical Truss Frame 30″ frame 30″ wheels

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1912 Premier Gents Irish Shamrock Belfast 1

1912 Premier Gents Irish ‘Shamrock’ with green paintwork

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1913 Ladies Premier 36

1913 Model No 2 Lady’s Special Premier

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1914_Premier_05

1914 Premier ‘No 6’ Lady’s Popular

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1914 Premier 05

1914 Premier Model No 2 Lady’s Special

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1913 Singer Gents 05

1920s Singer Gent’s Grande Modele de Luxe

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Premiers & Cross-Frames

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