Lovell Diamond Cycles. Manufacturers Of And Jobbers In Fire Arms, Bicycles And Sporting Goods

JOHN P. LOVELL ARMS CO

Publication: Privately printed, 1895, N P

First edition. Oblong 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" stapled, pictorial wrappers, n. p. (28 pp.), illustrated.with embossed lettering, illustration of “a beautiful young lady rider” (as described in a contemporary trade publication) on front cover, printed in three colors, with illustrations of cycles and scenic vignettes throughout. A good copy with a shallow vertical crease, light soiling, moderate general handling wear, two pages with chips restored, another with a spot of abrasion resulting in a small loss of text. Introductory pages declare the beginning of “the era of lower prices for high-grade wheels” and provide details on the company’s carefully selected construction materials. This is followed by description and illustration of the Model 22 Track Racer, Model 23 Semi-Racer, Model 24 Light Roadster, Model 25 Full Roadster (for youths), Excel Misses Safety Model 1, and Excel Safety models for boys and girls. Prices range from $40 to $100. A final page details the world record speeds made by racer Nat Butler on a Lovell Diamond in 1894. Interestingly the Lovell Company was established in 1840 as a manufacturer of fire arms but became in addition to manufacturing large jobbers of fishing tackle, cutlery, baseball and gymnasium goods, skates, bicycle sundries and general sporting goods. In addition to manufacturing fire arms they also manufactured bicycles which they marketed as Lovell Diamond Cycles. In this catalogue they provide a one-page advertisement for the Williams Typewriter a new departure for the company.