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I live for the CABE
An FYI post here. Don't know how many CABER's know or care, but a little history tidbit.
Iver Johnson started making bikes in 1884, a Springfield Roadster high wheel. At some point they started making bicycles for his buddy John Lovell Sporting Goods. Badged as Lovell Diamond . Iver continued making Lovell Diamond bikes right up until his death in 1895 .
After Iver's passing, his son Fred took over things. Lovell Sportings Goods approached Fred and wanted him to make/sell them bikes for less money. NOT gonna happen. They parted ways.
Hence the 1896 launch of "Iver Johnson" badged bicycles.
Then, Lovell not having a maker for their Lovell bikes, opened a factory of their own in Portland Maine on the water front. I owned a Lovell made at this plant and the construction quality was no where near what Iver Johnson was doing. Lovell had to make bikes for themselves for approx. 5-6 years. Here's a letter that was sent out to dealers kinda explaining things indirectly that they needed a new source for bikes.
Iver Johnson Arms and Cycles eventually bought Lovell Sporting Goods in approx. 1900. And resumed making Lovell Diamond bicycles shortly there after right til the bicycle end around 1941.
Iver Johnson started making bikes in 1884, a Springfield Roadster high wheel. At some point they started making bicycles for his buddy John Lovell Sporting Goods. Badged as Lovell Diamond . Iver continued making Lovell Diamond bikes right up until his death in 1895 .
After Iver's passing, his son Fred took over things. Lovell Sportings Goods approached Fred and wanted him to make/sell them bikes for less money. NOT gonna happen. They parted ways.
Hence the 1896 launch of "Iver Johnson" badged bicycles.
Then, Lovell not having a maker for their Lovell bikes, opened a factory of their own in Portland Maine on the water front. I owned a Lovell made at this plant and the construction quality was no where near what Iver Johnson was doing. Lovell had to make bikes for themselves for approx. 5-6 years. Here's a letter that was sent out to dealers kinda explaining things indirectly that they needed a new source for bikes.
Iver Johnson Arms and Cycles eventually bought Lovell Sporting Goods in approx. 1900. And resumed making Lovell Diamond bicycles shortly there after right til the bicycle end around 1941.
