A fine, full size, static replica of an 1867-1869 Roper steam powered velocipede,
constructed of an oak and steel frame, handcrafted ash wheels, brass tank, fixtures and pressure gauges.
Estimate:
US$ 20,000 - 25,000
£13,000 - 16,000
€16,000 - 19,000
£13,000 - 16,000
€16,000 - 19,000
Footnotes
- Historians are still unclear with the actual date of its creation. This steam-powered velocipede was built by Sylvester H. Roper of Massachusetts. He would often demonstrate at circuses and fairs. Its power source was a vertical firetube boiler heated by charcoal. Interestingly enough, Roper died of a heart-attack on 1 June 1896, while driving a twin-cylinder creation of this Velocipede at 40 mph on a bicycle track in Boston.
Currently this machine is preserved in the Smithsonian Motorcycle Collection and unavailable to the public.
Category: Motoring / Automobilia
Auction terms and conditions
Contacts
Kurt Forry
Bonhams
Work
220 San Bruno Avenue
San Francisco,
94103
United States
WorkTel:
+1 415 503 3248
FaxFax: +1 415 503 3300
Specialist
-
Automobilia