The Solitary Cyclist: Trade Announcement

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Canon Story: The Solitary Cyclist
Title: Trade Announcement (as featured in the Marylebone Illustrated)
Author:thesmallhobbit
Rating: G

John Marshall Ltd are delighted to announce the opening of our depot at 157 Sloane Street.  From there all the latest models of Sunbeam bicycles can be purchased.  There are four models for ladies, including our popular Gentlewoman’s Touring Sunbeam.  Gentlemen are equally well served, with a choice of four colours.  All purchases come complete with a free Sunbeam spanner.


A/N: With thank to my husband for the inspiration.  For further details: Sunbeam bicycles

Comments

[debriswoman]

The free Sunbeam spanner clinches it for me:-)
Two, please ( one for a lady, one for a gentleman)

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

I am sure you will be extremely happy with your purchases.

[debriswoman]

Thank you kindly:-)
Cheque is in the post...

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

The bicycles will be ready for collection as soon as the cheques have cleared.

[debriswoman]

A prudent response:-p

[marta-bee.livejournal.com]

For me it was the catering to the women in particular. Somehow that seemed like the kind of thing that would make our heroine smile. Nice angle on this story!

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Actually having a choice of model is a real bonus.

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the link - I really found it interesting ^^ Gorgeous pictures of the bicycles.

And why is being offered a free spanner so amusing..? ^_^

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

If nothing else the MMI is educational.

I don't know, but it was clearly a selling point.

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

Smart fellow, that Ludlow, clearly happy at the thought of doubling his sales where his competitors might not have considered ladies' needs for bicycles.

And another hat-tip to Miss Amelia Bloomer for inventing a garment that allowed ladies to get healthy exercise without threatening their modesty (no doubt bloomers was the "modified rational costume" from the advertisement).

Not surprisingly, moralists of the time ranted against ladies riding bicycles - they were afraid the motion of the seat would stimulate them sexually and/or damage their maidenheads, and of course the plain freedom of movement they provided women was a threat to the old order who longed for the days of corsets, fainting couches and smelling salts (far more subtle than a collar and leash would have been for a Victorian husband).

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

The bicycle certainly gave young women the chance to be independent. Interestingly, one of the first badges awarded for the Girl Guides was cyclist.

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

The last is a great touch. If only Miss Smith had had one!

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

I am sure her next bicycle will be a Sunbeam with spanner.