Freakbike in the big time

the Giraffe
Lamplighter

The Record Manufacturing Company Giraffe Lamplighter's Bicycle (1898) was up for auction at Sotheby's Chicago last September. Valued at $25-35K, the seat height of this unusually tall bicycle is over 7' tall which directly relates to the bike's important function. During the late nineteenth century it was used by lamplighters to light gas street lamps. The inordinately long chain is more than three times the length of a conventional bicycle chain. Currently only one other lamplighter bicycle is know to exist, designed and manufactured by a different maker. This original bicycle features black paint, wood rims, 28" single-tube tires and is correctly restored. It sold for $24K. Such a deal!