Made by S & B Gorton (subsequently Quinton Cycle Co)
18” Frame. 30″ Wheels with solid tyres
A few months after this bicycle was supplied by S & B Gorton, their factory burned down. When they opened their new works, they did so under a new company name, Quinton Cycle Co.
Harry Lawson, inventor of the safety bicycle, came to work for them and, in 1897, the company was taken over by a new firm created by Lawson, the New Beeston Cycle Co. This company made Britain’s first motorcycle and was an early producer of automobiles.
I bought the Earlsdon as part of a private collection owned by a lady in Sutton, Surrey. It was regularly used – observe the toolbag behind the saddle – so it was ready to ride without needing any work. The previous owner did not know the maker, but with its distinctive seat post I was able to identify it easily from my database of cross frame safety bicycles. I sold it in my Xmas 2022 auction and it now resides in America.
Click on this link to see more photos on its page at The Museum
