Beschreibung:

An 1886/1887 Starley & Sutton `Special Rover` Safety Bicycle. This sprung framed machine, numbered '69', is based on the James K Starley patent number 12,586 of October 1886, and in all likelihood was manufactured in late 1886 or early 1887, it carries the Starley & Sutton Badge, this early Rover bicycle has a 30-inch rear wheel and a 32-inch steering wheel, both with 3/4-inch crescent rims and grey tyring. Drive is by 6-inch slotted cranks and a Brampton type inch-pitch block chain to a fixed rear sprocket, the chain-wheel and spindle held in two adjustable bearing races. There are two significant and unusual features to the design. The first is that the spoon brake acts on the rear wheel utilising a gap formed by parting the rear mudguard, the spoon activated by a right-hand lever on the handlebars and two fulcrums. The other special and unusual feature is in the presence of the highly visual sprung loaded front forks, using a double turn spring of stout proportions, one side held firmly in front of the headstock and the other held in a tubular grip designed to move with the motion of the forks. Other features include: foot resting pegs, rear mounting step, chain-guard, correct period pedals, original handlebar grips and leather saddle. A J. Lucas & Son-manufactured 'Captain' hub lamp is fitted as was common at this time, to a right-hand axle extension. A period bell is also fitted. In keeping with conservation practice, the writer judges that this machine has been repaired and renovated rather than restored. Replicated parts such as mudguards and brake work can be clearly identified. This lot comes complete with a copy of: 'A History of Rover Cycles' by John Pinkerton & Derek Roberts photographs of the bicycle as found, a drawing of this bicycle showing the location of all of its numbers, specification details, and a copy-photograph of the original owner. This particular model as shown in the George Moore engraving was promoted as being ridden by Viscount Bury, who at the time was President of the National Cyclists Union. It is believed that this historic 'Special Rover' is unique today, and has not only a secure place in the history of British bicycle manufacture, but in the history of James Starley in particular, and his various inspired designs, his partner Sutton unfortunately having been killed in a trap accident in 1886. James Starley with his Rover was seen as producing the first practical safety bicycle, then the Holy Grail of the Cycle Industry; indeed, the bicycle was easy to mount and ride, having small wheels and chain drive to the rear wheel, key design steps that were instantly copied by others, and that allowed for a resurgence in the industry. 'The Rover has set the Fashion to the World', was the slogan used in Rover advertising for a long time afterwards. This bicycle was found in the basement of a building that was due to be demolished in 2002. It was a little distressed but surprisingly complete except for mudguards, chain-cover and brake-work, after lying undisturbed, it is believed, since the 1890s. Indeed, the accompanying photograph shows the original owner with this machine in 1887 or 1888. When a detailed inspection of the bicycle was carried out by Rover expert and restorer Tony Huntington in 2005, the machine was found to carry the machine number 69 in 20 different places, making this is one of the earliest known Rovers built, possibly second only in age to the 1885 Rover exhibited until recently by the Science Museum, South Kensington. The earliest Rovers possessed 36-inch front wheels because Starley correctly believed that the larger wheel cushioned road-generated shock. While other manufacturers generally opted for a smaller front wheel, Starley continued producing his Rational Rover with a 36-inch front wheel similar to the early race and record breaking Rovers until circa 1891. This 'Sprung Frame Special' should be seen as an early experiment by Starley to find another way for a more comfor