1899 Copley and Park Flyer Bicycle Catalogue Bigelow & Dowse Co. Boston Mass

Boston Mass: Bigelow & Dowse Co, 1899. 1st Edition. Soft cover. Fine/No Dust Jacket Issued.

Catalog Title: B. & D. Special Copley and Park Flyer Bicycles The catalog states that they are the New England Agents for Dayton Bicycles. [Dayton bicycles were a popular line out of Ohio, manufactured by Huffman bicycles.]

This catalog lists all the available features and extras for each model. Ref: Hardware: A Review of the American Hardware Market, Volume 19, 1999; Dayton Daily News; Wheelmen.

Stiff Stapled wraps; 12 pages with illustrations; 8.5 by 8 inches. Three brands / models are offered: B & D Special Bicycles, 'Copley' Bicycles, and 'Park Flyer' Bicycles and models for boys and girls which were from the Fay Bicycle company. The catalog is without flaw.

We found only 1 copy in institutions at the Univ. of Maine. [oclc 49198294]. Background Information:
The Bigelow & Dowse Co. was originally established in 1839 under the name of Horton & Cords. Numerous changes occurred over the years until in 1894 the business was transferred to a stock company with Samuel Bigelow as president and Chas F. Dowse as treasurer.

The company employed over 100 workers. Among many products they were the sole agents for the Copley and Park Bicycles. The Copley Company only operated during the year 1899. The ordinary bicycle was introduced in the United States in the late 1870s.

The rider perched above a massive front wheel that dwarfed the rear wheel and created an awkward center of gravity. Rough roads caused numerous falls. Americans went crazy for bicycles in the late 1880s when the safety bike first arrived from England. Designed with equal-sized wheels, the new bike made getting around easier and safer.