Introduction interview with Carl Burgwardt of the Pedaling History Museum. Video features live auction footage with price results.
Related: See our Post Sale article wrap up of all 3 sessions of the Buffalo Pedaling History Museum
Post Sale Article (Session One of Three) December 1, 2012
On Saturday December 1, 2012 at 10am Copake Auction Inc. held the first of three auctions to sell the contents of Carl and Clary Burgwardt’s “The Pedaling History Museum Collection” from Buffalo New York. The sale featured 471 unreserved lots including 170 bicycles, memorabilia, trophy’s, medals, steins, buttons and other bicycle related collectables. The Museum opened in 1991 and represented The Burgwardt family’s passion for all things bicycle related and is considered one of the best collections in the world. 534 registered bidders from the states as well as Canada, Russia, Mexico, Spain, UK, Italy, Czech Rep., Cyprus, Australia and The Netherlands participated both live and remotely with a total of 1,200 alt bids driving the prices. “Not being our annual Spring sale, we weren’t entirely sure if we would see all the regular faces in person but sure enough it was standing room only for this collection, and our offer to open the sheep field for any and all who wished to participate in a swap meet was also fully utilized.” Michael Fallon commented. Both the Burgwardt family and the auction staff were very happy with the results of this first sale.
Highlights from the sale in the category of early bicycles include a Wood Bros. c. 1869 “boneshaker” made at 596 Broadway, New York City $4,025, a c. 1878 Shire “boneshaker” manufactured in Detroit Mich. $7,475 and a 1886 Quadrant tricycle $9,775. The ever popular high wheel category was represented by a c. 1892 Telegram, the only known example that has surfaced and top lot in this auction brought $26,450, a c. 1887 G & J “American Safety” sold to The American Bicycle Museum in Ohio for $24,150, a c. 1886 Special 45” Pony Star high wheel made in Smithville NJ brought $8,900 and a c. 1889 46” Springfield Roadster sold for $7,900 to a Museum in the Czech Republic. High wheel bicycle accessories included a Columbia “Queen of the Night” combination hub lamp & cyclometer $8,900 and a LUCAS “King of the Road” hub lamp $2,875.
Hard tire safety bicycles were well represented including an unusual c. 1892 Columbia Military bicycle with full field equipment $9,775, a c. 1891 Elliot Hickory $7,475 and a very scarce c. 1890 Iver Johnson $10,925. Pneumatic cycles included a c. 1895 League shaft drive chainless, considered the first commercial chainless $9,000 (estimate: $3,200-3,700); several rare wooden frame pneumatic safeties including an Old Hickory $14,375 and a Chilion $9,200; a very unusual Gormully & Jeffery safety with accessory removable walking cane saddle $6,900; and a c. 1904 Terrot with innovative 2 speed drive $5,500.
A c. 1937 Elgin “bluebird” considered industrial design as art sold for $9,775. Other Balloon bicycles included a selection of Monark Silver Kings including a c. 1948 “Hex tube” $5,750, a c. 1937 “Flo Cycle” $3,100, a c. 1937 model $1,600 and a rare tricycle $$2,990. A whimsical c. 1917 water bicycle soared past the high estimate to bring $5,460 and the Schwinn Stingray was represented by both a “Lemon Peeler” $1,495 and a “Pea Picker” $948. Other bicycles of interest included a 1960 Bowden “Spacelander” $13,800, a rare c. 1955 Schwinn 20” Black Phantom $4,025 and a c. 1984 David Sherrell Classic $4,700.
Collectibles included a c. 1895 Boston Commonwealth “Century” medal $977, a c. 1898 Wheelman award medal with ruby inlay $977, a KODAK bicycle camera $1,495, a 19th c. ironstone creamer with transfer decoration of ladies racing velocipedes $1,955, a small collection of 19th c. head badges $1,250, a single head badge from a rare “Lindy” bicycle $488, an illuminated Columbia bicycle dealer sign $690, a collection of chocolate & ice cream molds $690 and a very desirable19th c. Pierce bicycle poster $9,200.
