Lillian Russell's Tiffany & Co. Bicycle
05-19-08, 07:59 AM
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Lillian Russell's Tiffany & Co. Bicycle
1890s over the top.
Silver inlay, carved ivory grips.
Though it may deserve mention here.
Expected auction value of $50K-$70K.
https://animalnewyork.com/news/2008/0...o-fixed-ge.php
^^^
Site where I found it, and more images.
Silver inlay, carved ivory grips.
Though it may deserve mention here.
Expected auction value of $50K-$70K.
https://animalnewyork.com/news/2008/0...o-fixed-ge.php
^^^
Site where I found it, and more images.
05-19-08, 09:19 AM
#2
Lanky Lass
Wow.
That must have been a real sight, seeing Miss Russell drifting down the street riding that.
East Hill
That must have been a real sight, seeing Miss Russell drifting down the street riding that.
East Hill
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05-19-08, 09:48 AM
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I saw this auction posting a few days ago, and my first thought was: why does this unique antique have a cheap vinyl mattress saddle on it? Doesn't anybody at Bonham's know enough to at least stick a Brooks tooled-leather reproduction on it?
05-19-08, 09:52 AM
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You Know!? For Kids!
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05-19-08, 11:05 AM
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Lanky Lass
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05-19-08, 12:18 PM
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Actually, I don't think that one is Lillian Russell's-- it's a bit too plain. Among other details, hers had mother-of pearl handlebars, and spokes encrusted with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
05-19-08, 06:28 PM
#9
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That's about as Victorian as it gets. 
What an amazing bicycle, although someone needs to put a proper saddle on it post-haste.
What an amazing bicycle, although someone needs to put a proper saddle on it post-haste.
05-19-08, 06:57 PM
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That may well be the original owner's saddle. Talk about vintage bike travesties, swapping it out for a more modern offering would.. would... words fail me. 
By the way, Lillian Russell had a very interesting saddle custom-made for her bike...
Would anybody like to know more?
By the way, Lillian Russell had a very interesting saddle custom-made for her bike...
Would anybody like to know more?
05-19-08, 07:29 PM
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In August of 1896, it was reported that Lillian Russell had a custom-made saddle on her bicycle-- a "plaster-cast, self-adjusted, nature-fitting saddle."
According to Robert A. Smith (A Social History of the Bicycle), the process worked like this:
"The secret to such a custom-fitted saddle was the way it was made. The cyclist took his or her own machine to the shop, where the cycle was locked in a frame, then the regular saddle removed and replaced by a special one. This last was a wooden seat covered with an inch-thick layer of modeling clay overlaid with a silk cloth to prevent soiling the clothes. The cyclist mounted and pedaled for fifteen minutes, during which time "every peculiarity and shape would be worked out on the clay." In all likelihood the delicate nature of the process called for female attendants to be present when ladies were imprinting their "peculiarities." Next a cast was made of the clay seat, a cast that became the form for a final saddle built of composite materials, felt padding, and a cover of pigskin or sealskin. Thus equipped, a cyclist was ready for the street or highway."
05-19-08, 08:02 PM
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In August of 1896, it was reported that Lillian Russell had a custom-made saddle on her bicycle-- a "plaster-cast, self-adjusted, nature-fitting saddle."
According to Robert A. Smith (A Social History of the Bicycle), the process worked like this:
"The secret to such a custom-fitted saddle was the way it was made. The cyclist took his or her own machine to the shop, where the cycle was locked in a frame, then the regular saddle removed and replaced by a special one. This last was a wooden seat covered with an inch-thick layer of modeling clay overlaid with a silk cloth to prevent soiling the clothes. The cyclist mounted and pedaled for fifteen minutes, during which time "every peculiarity and shape would be worked out on the clay." In all likelihood the delicate nature of the process called for female attendants to be present when ladies were imprinting their "peculiarities." Next a cast was made of the clay seat, a cast that became the form for a final saddle built of composite materials, felt padding, and a cover of pigskin or sealskin. Thus equipped, a cyclist was ready for the street or highway."
I dare say, the original casting of Miss Russell's "peculiarities" would be of much greater auction value than the bejeweled bicycle.
-stan
.
05-19-08, 09:01 PM
#15
Lanky Lass
.East Hill
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05-20-08, 02:51 PM
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cavities?
obscurities?
crap,
I just thought of a really good one and got distracted.
obscurities?
crap,
I just thought of a really good one and got distracted.
