LONDON.- A private collection of bikes built up over 30 years will be offered at auction by H&H Classics at Donington Park on July 28.

These wonderful objects are in effect history on two wheels with the oldest cycle among them being a child’s Victorian ‘Penny Farthing’ trike from the late 1800’s estimated at a very modest £100 plus. Owning such a wonderful object is to have something of England’s great manufacturing past as well as a working piece of art. The whole collection is estimated to make around £5,000.

This one-off collection found in Bedfordshire includes a very rare Sociable two-seater estimated to sell for around £2,000. The collection was built up by a couple who were both regulars at historic bicycle events and it has come to the market following the sad death of the husband.

Also in the collection is a Dursley, an Autowheel Cycle and an unrestored original Raleigh Chopper. There is something for everyone who has ever enjoyed cycling. They would make wonderful sculptural or conversation pieces in a living room or study.

Mark Bryan, Head of H&H Classics Bike Department, comments: “A collection like this is very rare in view of the amount of bikes and the diversity. Normally people collect similar styles. The collection is like a museum "clear out" and possibly that's where many of them will end up, in another museum.”