J L Mead Co

[chitown]

I've been doing some more Mead digging and got some good nuggets on Google Books:

Like the fact that he is the son of a buffalo hunter and Indian trader and his father also helped establish the Kansas state public schools.

Taken from a book of Chicagoans 1911

View attachment 62471

Some of his earlier ads:
1897
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1900
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1902
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1903
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[OldRider]

I always love to know the history behind things, fascinating to me. Who woulda thunk........from buffalo hunter to bicycles in two generations! Thanks Chi, love this stuff.

 

[chitown]

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[chitown]

The Buffalo hunter part may have been his inspiration for this poster:

View attachment 62486

copyright on poster is 1897

The Mead Cycle Co on top and the address on bottom have been covered up. The saying next to the rider is scratched off a little but you can still make out "The recollection of quality remains long after the price is forgotten"

 

[chitown]

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[Nick-theCut]

Are you serious with that poster? Waaaay cool. Buffalo hunter... That's awesome aswell. Great research.
I haven't looked at those ads up close, always pass up the "zoom in" when I see them on EBay. Cool Neurdorf ad with the old pricing and silhouette of the top on the line racer. Didnt we just see an orange one sitting next the Sheldon? Keep up the research sir.

 

[dfa242]

Very cool stuff - thanks for sharing.

 

[chitown]

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[Balloontyre]

Who Made Mead Bikes

ChiTown, way cool with the research.
I have a general question about Mead. I've read different material over time that speculates Mead did not actually make any bikes, then some readings imply they only manufactured the Ranger line and all others were farmed to other factories for production.
Can you shed light on this?

Go Packers!

 

[chitown]

ChiTown, way cool with the research.
I have a general question about Mead. I've read different material over time that speculates Mead did not actually make any bikes, then some readings imply they only manufactured the Ranger line and all others were farmed to other factories for production.
Can you shed light on this?

Go Packers!

Working on it.