BY APPOINTMENT TO HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE V
King George V died on 20 January, 1936. This bicycle has a Sturmey-Archer ‘K6’ hub, which came out the same year, so presumably the bicycle was made in 1936. I assume it was too late for the company to replace the transfer (decal).
The King had been an avid fan of Rudge-Whitworth bicycles, hence the inscription above. As a result of his death, preparations were made for the coronation of his eldest son King Edward VII the following year.
The accessory clip-on rear mudguard white tip fitted to this bicycle (below) celebrated the coronation of King Edward VIII. However, King Edward abdicated and his younger brother George VI was crowned in his place, in May, 1937. As a result, the accessory white tip showing Edward’s name became redundant, which I assume is the reason why it has survived. It is now a rare and interesting vintage cycle collectible.
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