The verses feature some of those who are seen enjoying an exercise that had been all the rage in London since the previous year, when Denis Johnson, a coachmaker of Covent Garden, introduced the English to the machine that had been invented by Baron Carl Von Drais. He also offered lessons in its use.
A parson, a lawyer, a dandy, a Quaker and actors in costume are all shown on machines that had no brakes and were both powered and slowed down by the rider’s feet.
Showing splitting along the folds, tape repairs and a certain amount of foxing and staining, this example nonetheless raised $1500 (£1155) in a September 8 sale held by Cowan’s (20/15% buyer’s premium) in Cincinnati to disperse yet more items from Eric Caren’s enormous ‘How History Unfolds on Paper’ collections.
As previously reported, the major sales from that collection were conducted by Christie’s New York and Bonhams New York.
