c. 1856 Michaux-Type Bicycle

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€4,680 EUR | Sold

The Quattroruote Collection

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  • c. 1856 Michaux-Type Bicycle
Addendum
Kindly note once sold this lot must return to Italy following the sale to be officially exported. The transportation and post-sale storage of the cars back to Milan (Quattroruote) will be at sellers expense. The cars will be stored at Quattroruote in Milan until this process is complete and the registrations have been cancelled. Buyers can then make arrangements to collect cars directly from Quattroruote once this process is complete. We estimate the process will take approximately 3-4 weeks.

Pierre Michaux is one of the individuals credited with the invention of the modern bicycle, as he is one of the first inventors to add cranks and pedals to a two-wheeled draisine. His company, Michaux et Cie, was the first manufacturer to build pedal-powered bicycles on a large scale, using a two-piece cast-iron frame bolted together.

Such construction is seen on the bicycle offered here, which is of iron with wood-rimmed iron wheels. The brake, which acts on the rear wheel, is operated by turning the knobs of the handlebar. The seat is mounted on a leaf spring for additional comfort for the passenger.