Object Record
Images
Additional Images [1]
Metadata
Object Name |
Bicycle |
Collection |
Lambton Heritage Museum Collection |
Accession number |
LHM E.1977 |
Catalog Number |
LHM E.1977.4622 a - b |
Other Name |
Bicycle, Penny Farthing |
Date |
1877 |
Description |
Tall, silver high wheeler, also known as Penny-Farthing bicycle. The bicycle features a large wheel at the front and a significantly small wheel at the back. Each wheel includes wire spokes and a narrow black rubber tire. The bike includes a black leather seat and moustache style handle bars with wooden handles. Under the seat, strapped to the frame, there is a small triangular shape container (b) made from brown leather with a flap and metal buckle closure. The container would have been used as a toolbox. |
Provenance |
This penny farthing bicycle was owned by the Eisenbach family. According to Peter Eisenbach's records, it was made in 1877 in Brantford. The bicycle was used by his father from 1880-1900 to get to work at the brickyard which was owned by John Foster, east of Zurich. He rode approximately six miles morning and night. Peter mentioned that he rode this wheel to Seaforth and back in the same night, carrying as much as 75 pounds on his back. This high wheel style was the first machine to be called a 'bicycle'. E. Meyer patented the wire-spoke tension wheel (spider wheels) in 1869. J. Starley added tangent spokes and the mounting step. Its feature is that the rider sits high and nearly over the front axle. These bicycles were risky to ride, so bicycle makers developed the 'moustache' handle bars, which allowed the rider's knees to clear them. |
Dimensions |
W-148 L-188 cm |
Inscription Type |
Manufacturer's Mark |
Inscription Technique |
Stamped |
Inscription Location |
Toolbox (b) |
Inscription Text |
Brantford |
Maker's Mark |
This may be a reference to Goold Bicycle Ltd., Brantford. |
Search Terms |
Lambton 175 Penny Farthing Bicycle Bicycle Bicycling Transportation |
People |
Eisenbach, Peter |
On Display Starting |
2023-06-02 |