Antique Bicycle License Tag Collection ~ Member L.A.W.

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Bicycle License Tag Collection This auction is for an absolutely magnificent and rare collection of antique bicycle license tags from the Victorian Era. The tags are from Suffolk County which is the most eastern portion of New York State and lies on Long Island. The gentleman to whom these license tags originally belonged was a member of the League of American Wheelmen. (One of our other current items is a large photograph picturing the gentleman and his brethren of the Connecticut Division of the L.A.W. at a convention in Washington, D.C., dated July 18th-20th in the year 1892".) T are ten metal tags in all, consecutive for ten years, one for each year from 1899 to 1908. The tags are in a box type wooden frame lined in burgundy velvet. T are four velvet lined "poles" on which the license tags are mounted. Each is mounted with tiny tack nails through the original holes which would have been used to mount the tags to the bicycle. None are glued or cemented onto the "poles" and can be safely removed if so desired. The original glass, which preserved these bicycle tags well, remains and is free of any cracks, chips, etc. T is a handwritten inscription mounted below the license tags in period ink. The inscription reads as follows : "Bicycle License Tags" In memory of ten annual delightful Pilgrimages on the wheel to Long Island From 1899 to 1908 Inclusive 10 years. The first (upper left) tag is metal with a celluloid covered paper label and is dated 1899. It reads "N.Y. Side Path Bicycle License, Suffolk County". T is a big bicycle wheel in the background. The very bottom is marked with the manufacturer. The portion we can read says Whitehead (& Hoag?) Newark. Below the above mentioned, the license tag is silver metal and is marked with the year 1900. The rest of these incredible pieces are all marked with the ending number of the years. A couple are actually die-cut shapes for the year number, some have cut-outs of the year number, and some are engraved with the year number. The majority are silver metal and a few are either brass or brass gilded copper. The back bears the original paper foil tag from w the piece was framed. It reads "The Wallis Art Shop, 176 State Street, Bridgeport, Conn.". This phenomenal collection is in exceptional collectible condition. T is minor age wear to the frame. Of course, t is expected age wear to the license tags as they were originally mounted to a bicycle. The wear is absolutely unobtrusive to these sensational pieces. The back of the frame does come off and will need to be secured before wall mounted. The frame measures 8" high, 11 3/8" wide, and 2" deep. The bicycle license tags measure approximately 1 3/4" to 2 1/4" high. Again, the tags are complete including the mounting "rings". Low Start Bid ~ No Reserve Happy Bidding and Good Luck! A brief history regarding this item . . . This item comes from the estate of a prominent 19th century family from Chicago, Illinois. The family was in the business of hotels, bicycle manufacturing, and clothiers. The family also kept an estate in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Be sure to see our current auctions for some fantastic items from this incredible estate...... INCLUDING Some more rare Victorian Era bicycle and L.A.W. (League of American Wheelmen) memorabilia! Payment Methods Payment By Mail - Money Order or Cashier's Check No Personal Checks (No Exceptions) Shipping on multiple auction wins will be combined when applicable. S/H cost is determined with the winning bidder's zip code. Insurance is required on all items. (No exceptions.) Shipping is done via insured USPS Priority Mail only. International shipping is done via insured Priority Mail International only. Payment is expected within 7 days of auction end. Every effort has been made to accurately describe the item for sale. All items are offered are on an "As-Is" basis. Please note that all sales are final so b... read more

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