Rare Bicycles, Early Motoring Relics, and One-of-a-Kind Prototypes Head to Auction at Copake’s 34th Annual Event

COPAKE, N.Y. — Copake Auction will hold its 34th Annual Bicycle and Automobilia Sale on Saturday, October 10th, at 9:00 AM. Anchored by major consignments from across the United States, this year’s event brings together several premier private collections, including those of renowned Wheelmen member Gary Sanderson, Chicago collector Mark Mattei, and a prominent Wisconsin estate. Sanderson’s collection highlights the early evolution of cycling, spanning high wheels, pneumatic and hard-tire safeties, and early racing bikes.

The auction features an outstanding lineup of 25 high wheel bicycles, including rare models from Springfield Roadster, Victor, Haynes Swiftsure, Columbia, BSA, Humber, Otto, and Gormully & Jeffery, alongside two Stars and two Eagles. “This year’s high wheel category offers a remarkable cross-section of early engineering,” said Mike Fallon of Copake Auction. “It’s one of the most comprehensive and historically significant groupings we’ve had the privilege to present.” Condition across the category ranges from meticulously restored showpieces to untouched original survivors.

Among the earliest machines offered are three Boneshakers, headlined by a scarce Demarest Velocipede and an English c. 1869 Boneshaker bearing the maker’s badge of Paul Hood & Co., King William St., London.

The auction continues with several rare “hard tire safety” bicycles, the design that succeeded the high wheeler. Named for their two equal-sized wheels—the layout of the modern bicycle—they offered a far less dangerous ride than their lofty predecessors. Highlights include a Victor Spring Fork, a Dandy, a Columbia Roadster, a Western Wheel Works model, and an exceptionally rare Cleveland ice bicycle.

More than 60 pneumatic safety bicycles will cross the block, representing legendary makers such as Harley-Davidson, Columbia (including chainless models), Crescent, Rambler, Gormully & Jeffery, Pierce, Mead, Lovell Diamond, Crawford, and Waverly. Standout offerings include a rare all-wooden Comet bicycle and a Ligna Hickory wooden bicycle.

Bidders will also find over 60 vintage balloon-tire bicycles. “From iconic mid-century classics to ultra-rare factory prototypes, the depth of this year’s balloon-tire offering makes it a standout catalog for collectors,” noted Seth Fallon. Key highlights feature expertly restored Donald Duck and Hopalong Cassidy models, ten Schwinn Phantoms, Monark Silver Kings, Schwinn Autocycles, Western Flyers, and J.C. Higgins models, capped by two rare Roadmaster prototypes.

Specialty offerings extend to a pair of rare Bowden Spacelander bicycles, four BSA Paratroopers, and a major selection of custom builds from the Mark Mattei Collection. Road and track enthusiasts will discover sought-after racing bikes from Hetchins, Peugeot, Frejus, Paris Whitcomb, Holdsworth, and a Huffy Team bike. The lineup further showcases vintage favorites like Schwinn Krates alongside 20 antique and vintage tandems.

An extensive array of accessories rounds out the bicycle offerings, including over 60 vintage lamps with scarce hub-lamp examples for high wheelers and safety bikes. Highlights also include a rare Lakins high-wheel cyclometer and a prominent 19th-century French poster (57” x 42”) reading “RALEIGH / LES MEILLEURES BICYCLETTES sont les RALEIGH” (Paris), alongside original ephemera, Wheelmen collectibles, artwork, and rare spare parts.

Beyond two-wheeled treasures, the catalog expands into 300 exceptional automobilia lots. Bidders will compete for early license plates, historic racing photography, and coveted Brass Era accessories, anchored by fine art pieces such as a Stanley Wanlass bronze sculpture and a rare 1905 Automobile Club de Nice embroidered cloth banner. Additional highlights feature vintage radiator mascots, porcelain signs, advertising wall clocks, oil cans, original factory manuals, fire helmets, and a Ferrari pedal car.

Previews in person are: October 8^th and 9^th 10AM until 4PM. Day of sale 8AM until 8:45AM. The annual Swap Meet will be held onsite Friday beginning at 7AM. Admission is free, vending is $25.00. Copake Auction is located at: 266 Route 7A (East Main Street), Copake New York 12516. Call for more information: 518-641-1935.