Lot Ended
Description
c.1904 Lea-Francis Ladies Bicycle
No
Reserve
From the Tresham Collection; rare survivor in highly
original condition throughout; two-speed gears; in need of light restoration;
perfect for the owner of a Lea-Francis car; the very best bicycle money could
buy...
The
partnership of RH Lea and GI Francis was formed solely for the purpose of
producing high quality bicycles. Lea’s talent for invention led to him filing 42
patents prior to 1914, these included patents for bicycles, gearboxes, pedals,
lights and reflectors. One thing led to another, and by 1905 they had made their
first motorcar, motorcycles also being available from 1911 onwards.
But it all started with bicycles,
the first being sold under Lea’s name in 1896. In May of that year the
limited company of Lea & Francis Ltd was established and from 1899 products
were marketed under the Lea-Francis name.
The
bicycle equivalent of the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, any Lea-Francis was an
excellent machine, the superior quality being matched by a superior price which
restricted ownership to a privileged few: a typical BSA cost 6 guineas, the best
Triumph Imperial was 13 guineas, a Rudge-Whitworth Aero Special de Luxe
Featherweight was 14 guineas, a Golden Sunbeam was 15 guineas but a Lea-Francis
Men’s Bicycle with Sturmey Archer 3-speed was 16 guineas.
This 2-speed Lea-Francis Ladies Bicycle is thought to date from
around 1904. Our vendor acquired it several years ago to stand alongside a 1929
Lea-Francis P-Type 12/40 Tourer that he also owned – and which is also included
in this sale (Lot 307). As you can see in the photos, the bicycle appears to be
in largely original condition and would benefit from some light restoration
before pedalling forth once more.
A
Lea-Francis was a ‘dream bicycle’ in its day and, given how few have survived,
it remains so today. On offer here at no reserve, this quality machine is
still surely worth 16 guineas of anyone’s money…
This is one of nine Lots entered from the Tresham Collection.
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email
james.dennison@brightwells.com
* All charges are subject to VAT