'Labre & Lamaudière'
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 43117
Engine no. 161930
Tragatsch states that Labre & Lamaudière existed from 1901 to 1907 but this would seem to be incorrect as a trawl of the Internet turned up a copy of 'The Literary Digest' dated October 14th 1899, which illustrates and describes a 'Lamaudière-Labre Naphtha Bicycle', the latter featuring an inclined cylinder forming part of the seat tube, Indian style. Lamaudière motorcycles were imported into the UK by Sée Motor Car Supply Co of 9 Hill's Place, Oxford Circus, London W1. Sée's advertising trumpeted the exploits of Lamaudière's Paris-Madrid racer of 1904, which was said to have 'made the best average during the race (63 kilometres per hour) until run into by a car crossing the road at Vitray en Beauce' - some things don't change. The fate of the rider is not recorded. Three awards were listed: the 'Diploma of Honour' at the Paris Exposition (1900) and two Criteriums for Motor Cycles (1901 and 1902). Offered for sale from a private collection, the example offered here consists of a gentleman's bicycle fitted with a 'clip-on' engine, typical of the early Edwardian period, incorporating an 'atmospheric' inlet and mechanical (side) exhaust valve. Its date of manufacture is not known. Thorough and careful re-commissioning and the usual safety checks are advised before returning the machine to the road. There are no documents with this Lot, which is sold strictly as viewed.
