Details

Object type

bicycle

Title

Spider Roadster

Artist/Maker

Howe Machine Company maker

Place Associated

Scotland, Glasgow, Bridgeton (place of manufacture)

Date

1885

Materials

wood, metal, rubber

Dimensions

overall: 1505 mm x 1690 mm x 685 mm 22000 g

Description

This bicycle is known as an ordinary or high wheel bicycle, although often described as a penny farthing. It is painted bright green with fine yellow coach lines along the front forks and hollow steel down tube. Both wheels have solid black rubber tyres. Pedals are attached to the larger front wheel and enable direct drive of the bicycle. A foot peg near the base of the down tube assists the rider with mounting the bicycle; a spoon brake in front of the handlebar controls speed; and for comfort the brown leather saddle is suspended by curling spring bars. The Howe Machine Company of Glasgow were based in Bridgeton and, like so many renowned cycle companies, started out making sewing machines. Their Ordinary bicycles (such as the Spider) and tricycles featured at many international exhibitions, including the Paris Expositions of 1878 and 1889 where they received Gold Medals and the Diploma of Honour. The company had branches in London, Bristol and Paris but was proud to call their Glasgow base ‘the largest cycle factory in the world.’ Other cycles in the Howe range around this time included: Scotch Express, Hercules, Wizard and Avenue, which was named after their Bridgeton address.

Credit Line/Donor

Gifted by Sheriff Blair, 1908

ID Number

1908.152.b

Location

Riverside Museum Main Exhibition Area