Bicycle

Date1932

Dimensions.A: 187 x 51 x 187 cm (73 5/8 x 20 1/16 x 73 5/8 in.) Other (.B): 74 cm (29 1/8 in.)

Object numberHF.2022.21.1a-b

DescriptionA blue metal bicycle (A) with white metal mud-guards over each wheel. Blue plastic handle bar grips are present on the ends of the curved handle bars. The frame of the bike is painted blue. A square red plastic "license plate" is wrapped around the front of the head tube, connected at the back with a flat metal strap with raised letters for "Bicycle Guild". The front of the license plate has "Summerside / 0983 / 1969" in black font. The seat is red leather(?) with white panels on the sides and back. Two thick metal springs are located under the back corners of the seat. A round, red reflector encased in white metal is present on the rear mud-guard. A silver metal kick-stand is located underneath the chain and gear wheels which are also covered by a silver metal guard. The spare tire (B) has a red rubber interior and black rubber on the exterior.
Narrative

Wanda and Muriel Yeo of St. Eleanors (Lot 16) purchased this bike in 1932 from RT Holman's General Store, Summerside, PEI, for $32.50. The sisters, aged 11 and 13, split the cost of the bike earning money by milking cows and picking potatoes on their family farm, with their father matching their earnings.

With the outbreak of World War II, both women joined the war efforts with Muriel joining the Army as a nurse and Wanda working for the Air Force in Ottawa, taking the bicycle with her. The bike was stolen from Wanda while in Ottawa but was returned to her before she and the bicycle made the flight back to Summerside at the end of the war. In 2007 the bike was ridden by the donor, Muriel's daughter, in the North Cape Coastal Ride - a 182.4km bike tour starting in North Cape and ending in Summerside, PEI.

The Canadian Cycle and Motor Company (CCM) was founded in 1899 when Walter Massey of Toronto merged four separate Canadian bicycle companies to form CCM. From 1899 to 1983, CCM produced and sold bicycles across Canada as well as throughout the British Empire.