Can anyone shed some light on the origins of this TOC wood frame that's been donated to the Marin Bike History Museum?

[gkeep]

Any insight regarding this great survivor?

BikeMuse News – April 2020 | Marin Museum of Bicycling and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame

mmbhof.org

.

 

[GiovanniLiCalsi]

I was following the one that was on eBay, several months ago. It had bronze frame lugs. Very well made, but not very fancy, like some other wooden frame bicycles.
I have sent the Museum several photos of this model. This one has adjustable pedal arms.

 

[Blue Streak]

The wood frame bicycle is a 1896 Huseby made by Huseby Cycle Company in Milwaukee WI. The company was founded January 1896 and failed August 1896. The wood is rock elm and the castings available either aluminum or aluminum bronze. I shared this information with the Museum a few weeks ago. The fork on the one sold on eBay may not be original as it does not match Huseby ads or other complete examples. The eBay seller said he found it in eastern Wisconsin.

From January 1896 issue of The Pneumatic:

Huseby Ad from May 7, 1896 issue of The Referee:

Ad from unknown source:

From August 1896 issue of The Pneumatic:

George Huseby:

Huseby went on to start Elmwood Cycle Manufacturing Company in January 1897 but it failed July 1897. From January 1, 1897 issue of The Referee:

From July 1897 issue of The Pneumatic:

 

[Cooper S.]

It’s awesome that that museum was able to do that research and display the bike, if only we had a good bike museum in Chicago

 

[gkeep]

Wow, I want to see one of those novelty frames! How about a tandem with double circular frames...

 

[RUDY CONTRATTI]

Here is another photo of a Wood Frame at Our Towns Museum

 

[tim elder]

I found that bike in the basement of an old house in Omaha, Nebraska around 1970, I remember the broken piece of wood with the clamps. I sold it around 1977 to a West Coast collector who was gassing up at my grandfathers gas station in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The bike was found with an extra pair of hubs and a head tag that were wire tied to the stem. A sale I always regretted. Tim