Velocipedes, Bicycles and Tricycles: How to Make and How to Use them. With a Sketch of their History, Invention, and Progress. By “Velox” -
Tom Burgess
May 1869 - George Routledge and Sons, London - First Edition
First edition of one of the first books in English to be dedicated to the bicycle, with thirty six charming woodcut illustrations.
‘Whether velocipedes are only the 'toy of the hour,' or are destined to become a permanent adjunct to our civilization and every-day life or not, no one can doubt their extending popularity’.
‘A treasure trove of information with illustrations from the early inventions in 1819, right through to the so-called French, Parisian and American models available at the time. A summary of the scene in 1869 includes a report that the 52 miles from London to Brighton had been covered in 7½ hours on a bicycle, shaving two hours of the previous fastest time.’ – Pelotome.
Chapters include ‘Advantages of Velocipedes’, ‘Velocipedes of the Past’, ‘Velocipedes of the Day’, ‘Art of Velocipede Management’, ‘How to Manage a Bicycle’, ‘How to Construct a Bicycle’, ‘Velocipedum Variorium’ and ‘Progress of the Velocipede’. Published in London, May 1869, only preceded by ‘The Modern Velocipede’ printed in London, April 1869 and ‘The Velocipede’ printed in New York in March of the same year.
Provenance: Gift inscription to title page to ‘Edgar W. Buckler from A. E. B.’
Small octavo (book size 16.7x10.9cm), pp. x 11-127 [1]. In publisher’s illustrated orange paper covered boards, neatly rebacked to style in matching orange cloth spine and new lettering, advertisements on rear panel, advertisements for endpapers. Condition: Very good, neatly rebacked in orange cloth, with added cloth repairs to corners, wear and chipping to original paper covered boards, splitting inside hinge. Ref: 112219 Price: HK$ 2,500
‘Whether velocipedes are only the 'toy of the hour,' or are destined to become a permanent adjunct to our civilization and every-day life or not, no one can doubt their extending popularity’.
‘A treasure trove of information with illustrations from the early inventions in 1819, right through to the so-called French, Parisian and American models available at the time. A summary of the scene in 1869 includes a report that the 52 miles from London to Brighton had been covered in 7½ hours on a bicycle, shaving two hours of the previous fastest time.’ – Pelotome.
Chapters include ‘Advantages of Velocipedes’, ‘Velocipedes of the Past’, ‘Velocipedes of the Day’, ‘Art of Velocipede Management’, ‘How to Manage a Bicycle’, ‘How to Construct a Bicycle’, ‘Velocipedum Variorium’ and ‘Progress of the Velocipede’. Published in London, May 1869, only preceded by ‘The Modern Velocipede’ printed in London, April 1869 and ‘The Velocipede’ printed in New York in March of the same year.
Provenance: Gift inscription to title page to ‘Edgar W. Buckler from A. E. B.’
Small octavo (book size 16.7x10.9cm), pp. x 11-127 [1]. In publisher’s illustrated orange paper covered boards, neatly rebacked to style in matching orange cloth spine and new lettering, advertisements on rear panel, advertisements for endpapers. Condition: Very good, neatly rebacked in orange cloth, with added cloth repairs to corners, wear and chipping to original paper covered boards, splitting inside hinge. Ref: 112219 Price: HK$ 2,500