1937 bike tops $20K at auction

A 1937 Elgin bicycle propelled by a drive shaft, the best one of four known examples, sold for a record $20,900 on April 17 at Copake Auction. Of the four known examples, this is the only one in original finish.

From Antiques and the Arts; other sale highlights are also noted, and a full writeup is promised for a future issue.

The mention of original finish caught my eye, since it has been the norm for some time for collectors of old cars, bicycles, and pedal cars to strip down and repaint, even if the original paint is mostly intact. I've long wondered when these collectors would wake up and start demanding original finish -- as is the norm in most fields -- causing the value of the few surviving unrefinished pieces to go through the roof. Perhaps that time is now.

Posted by David on April 21, 2004 7:53 PM