Really Cool Piece of Early Bicycling History...

[coinman123]

Yesterday evening I was trying to teach someone how to metal detect at a relatively easy to hunt spot. It is basically just grassy plains that looks to be a cow field many years ago. I went only a few times on quick hunts that I don't want to drive that far to get to, this was the first time I was there in two years though, since then I have found better sites but wanted to try it once more a couple days ago and found a colonial button. The person I was teaching found some 1970's beer cans, a weird button thingy with iron back (It looks to be fairly new), a 1981 McDonald's Ketchup Packet, a huge bolt and a clad dime. For the last few mintutes on the way to the car I took the metal detector and tried find something. I got a decent signal, I dig a few inches and pull up what looks like a bent piece of roofing, I then notice it was brass with words. I was pretty excited with finding it. My first guess was old bicycle or motorcycle but I was not sure. I asked on "What is it?" and it turns out it is a headbadge from a late 1890's bicycle. I think that this might be the oldest bicycle related thing I have seen in person.

Here are some old ads for the bike, I was surprised on how much they sold it for, $36 for it on one ad, that is $1000 in today's money according to inflation calculator
http://ns1.fultonhistory.com/Proces.../Utica NY Sunday Journal 1900-1901 - 0162.pdf
http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper ... World 1899/New York NY World 1899 - 2135.pdf



I have not found a single bike (or headbadge) of this company in existence today

 

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[I-DIG-IT]

Nice digs. Now that's a nice piece of history you found. I like it.

 

[Danwell]

Very Cool! With a find of that age, I'd say you're in a great spot. Might want to devote a bit more time?

 

[jewelerguy]

very cool

 

[OBN]

It is cool, the amount of effort and detail on just a head badge we would not see that now days...

 

[rodarian]

There's something you don't see everyday. Very cool!

 

[coinman123]

It is cool, the amount of effort and detail on just a head badge we would not see that now days...

I agree with you, now days they are just a foil sticker

 

[kingskid1611]

It is a really nice piece of history.

 

[Papakhan]

That kind of thing is cool. Even more interesting than most coins. Great Find.

 

[UnderMiner]

Neat, certainly not something you would expect to find too often

 

[Erik in NJ]

Very nice piece of cycling history and in fine shape! Congrats!

 

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

I drive a Bicycle to most of my MD digs, so I think bicycle parts are cool, seems you got a rare one there ?