Object Record
Images
Additional Images [4]
Metadata
Object ID # |
1955.011.001 |
Object Name |
Bicycle, Ordinary |
Title |
Ordinary Bicycle from the 1890s (Altered Now) |
Lexicon category |
7: Distribution & Transportation Artifact |
Year Range from |
1870 |
Year Range to |
1890 |
Made |
Unknown |
Place of Origin |
Unknown |
Description |
"Ordinary Bicycle" (Penny Farthing) that was used at Owen Sound, Ontario. The seat of this bicycle is not original, as the original one was destroyed during a 2001 fire. The rubber tyre currently on the bicycle is also not original to the bicycle, but was put on after the fire. There is a grey-painted, custom-made metal display stand available to help display the bicycle in an upright position. |
Provenance |
Reportedly, this bicycle hung over the Cross bicycle store on 8th St. East, Owen Sound, Grey County, for some time. 8th St. E. was known as Union Street prior to 1909. Mr. J. H. Cross had a "bicycle livery" there in the early 20th-century. It is very likely an 1870s item, although its appearance is greatly altered now due to it being salvaged from a 2001 fire. After being used at the livery, it belonged to George Holmes. In the 1911 census of Owen Sound, Ontario, George Holmes was 50 years old. He and his wife Mary were residing at 895 4th Ave. East at that time. It later belonged to their son, Aubrey E. Holmes (died 1965). |
Collection |
Sporting & Recreational Equipment, 19th-c Collection |
Material |
Metal/Rubber/Wire/Paint |
Found |
Owen Sound, Grey County |
People |
Holmes, George Holmes, Aubrey Cross, J. H. |
Subjects |
Bicycles & tricycles Bicycle racing Recreation |
Search Terms |
Owen Sound Businesses |
Function |
An "Ordinary" was a vehicle for men only, as a woman's skirts would make it impossible or dangerous to ride one. Despite their precariousness, ordinaries were often used for bicycle racing. |