General Information

Serial #

YC 899

Part Number

1

Total Parts

2

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

Metal frame, headset, handlebars, forks, stays, crankset, chain, chain guard, parts/ Leather saddle, saddle bag/ Rubber tires, pedals, hand grips/ Synthetic rear reflector/ Cardboard, paper and twine wrappings

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

148.0 cm

Width

55.0 cm

Height

100.0 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Non-motorized Ground Transportation

Category

Cycles & cycling

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

Majestic

Country

Canada

State/Province

Quebec

City

Montreal

Context

Country

Canada

State/Province

Ontario

Period

This apparently unused bicycle was made in 1939

Canada

An example of a Canadian made bicycle. This bicycle was manufactured at a time when world economies were still recovering from the depression. Economic instability, coupled with the start of another major global conflict, made this period a turbulent time for consumerism, a time that was “materially” as well as emotionally “arduous.” Nonetheless there were two Canadian bicycle manufacturers that continued to operate successfully during this period: the Canada Cycle and Motor Company (CCM) and the Majestic Bicycle and Supply Co. Ltd. Despite some setbacks during the depression and into the war years, these companies continued to grow. Majestic was established by name in 1934 but had been producing bicycles under the Hershbain Bros. label since at least 1931 (the Hershbains were also manufacturers and salesmen of “Majestic” brand sewing machines). Majestic continued to make and sell bicycles and accessories well into the 1960s. Majestic and CCM managed to survive during this time period because of a growth in the bicycle market and because they offered unique special features. The Majestic Bicycle and Supply Company was established in Montreal in 1933 under the name Majestic Cycle Co. with Hershbain Bros. as distributors. The Hershbain Bros. had a shop on 1462 St. Laurent Blvd that initially sold HB and CCM brand bicycles and parts. By 1933 they were listed as “Canadian Distributors” of bicycles manufactured by Majestic. In 1934 the company became Majestic Bicycle and Supply Co. Ltd and the company is listed as manufacturer and wholesaler of Majestic bicycles and parts. The direct association with Hershbain Bros.. was dropped at this time, but Aaron Hershbain, one of the founders of Hershbain Bros., is still listed as the president of Majestic. The bicycle was acquired sometime in the early 1990s from a former caretaker of the McKee cottage at Glenwood Beach, Lake Simcoe, Ontario. It was purchased from the T. Eaton Co. Limited and shipped to Mrs. J. McKee who lived at the cottage. When the Glenwood property was to be sold, the caretaker cleared out the cottage and garage but held onto the bike until Mr. Miller acquired it.

Function

A human-powered personal transportation or recreational vehicle for one person.

Technical

Unknown

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

Some markings may be obscured by wrapping materials/ Blue, white and gold label on head tube reads 'GLIDER/ THE T. EATON Co. LTD./ TORONTO/ CANADA'/ Red, gold and black label on seat tube reads 'GUARANTEED/ CHROMIUM PLATED/ MADE IN/ ENGLAND' / Incised lettering on seat tube reads 'YC 899'/ Printed and typed lettering on attached label reads ‘ORDER NO. E.2956/ REC’D 3.6.42/ ITEM 56 GLIDER/ NAME THE T. EATON CO. / LINING DOUBLE GOLD & RED/ FRAME GENTS CURVED TOP RAIL/ SIZE 22/20” FOR 28” WHEELS. NOT DRILLED FOR BRAKEWORK/ FORKS ___/ MUDGUARDS DROP SIDE. 10” WHITE PLATE TO REAR/ BRAKES NONE/ AXLES & CUPS PLAIN/ CHAIN WH’L PLAIN 48T ½ X20T CRANKS GCC/ LAMP BRACKET SPORTS TYPE/ NO CYCLES 200/ PACKING NO. 3’ and ‘TRANSFERS/ HEAD OWN GLIDER TRANSFER/ GUARD ___/ SEAT TUBE NO. 279/ BOTTOM TUBE ___/ GEARCASE ___/ SPECIAL DETAILS ACCESSORIES/ ALL PARTS STPD: OR LABELLED M I E.’

Missing

Washer from one side of front wheel axle

Finish

Frame, forks, chain and seat stays, stem, seat suspension, parts painted glossy black/ Rear mudguard painted glossy white at back end/ Plated handlebars, crank set, wheels, parts/ Black or charcoal seat and saddle bag/ Red rear reflector in white casing/ Black pedals, hand grips, tires

Decoration

Black and red striping on frame, stays and mudguards