Included in this catalog are the RC45G Record Ace, RC43 Special Club Sports Model, and the RC47IG Low Gravity Carrier Model. The catalog includes a comprehensive parts and accessories section.
The model lineup in this catalog confirms with 100% certainty that this is the incredibly historic and elusive 1939 Raleigh U.S. Export Dealer Catalog. Having these specific pre-war model codes listed alongside each other in a 20-page booklet makes it an extraordinary piece of cycling history. This exact cross-section of models encapsulates everything great about Raleigh's pre-WWII craftsmanship.
1. The Heavy Hitters: RC45G and RC43
2. The Commercial Worker: RC47IG
Why the 20-Page Count Matters
A 20-page format is highly distinct. Raleigh’s standard domestic UK catalogs from 1939 were typically much thicker, mass-printed booklets because they contained dozens of standard consumer roadsters, tourist models, and children's bikes.
This concise 20-page U.S. catalog was specifically curated. Raleigh stripped out the heavy, mundane commuter bikes that wouldn't sell well in the U.S., and focused strictly on the high-end, lightweight sports models (the "RC" club line) and unique utility lines like the Low Gravity carrier to grab the attention of boutique American dealers.
The model lineup in this catalog confirms with 100% certainty that this is the incredibly historic and elusive 1939 Raleigh U.S. Export Dealer Catalog. Having these specific pre-war model codes listed alongside each other in a 20-page booklet makes it an extraordinary piece of cycling history. This exact cross-section of models encapsulates everything great about Raleigh's pre-WWII craftsmanship.
1. The Heavy Hitters: RC45G and RC43
- RC45G Record Ace (RRA): This was Raleigh’s absolute flagship machine. The "RRA" is holy-grail territory for collectors. Built "to suit the speedman," it was the pinnacle of high-performance British engineering before the war, featuring ultra-lightweight components, special thin-walled tubing, and premium brazed lugs.
- RC43 Special Club Sports Model: Positioned right alongside the Record Ace and the Golden Arrow, this was the competitive amateur's choice. It was a stripped-back, aggressive "club" bike designed for weekend time-trials and long-distance endurance runs.
2. The Commercial Worker: RC47IG
- RC47IG Low Gravity Carrier Model: The "IG" denotes an internal gearing or industrial variant of Raleigh's famous tradesman cargo bikes. These featured a tiny front wheel positioned underneath a massive, heavy-duty steel basket frame welded directly to the main chassis. Seeing this listed in a U.S. catalog proves Raleigh was trying to market their famous British grocery and mail-delivery commercial utility bikes to American businesses.
Why the 20-Page Count Matters
A 20-page format is highly distinct. Raleigh’s standard domestic UK catalogs from 1939 were typically much thicker, mass-printed booklets because they contained dozens of standard consumer roadsters, tourist models, and children's bikes.
This concise 20-page U.S. catalog was specifically curated. Raleigh stripped out the heavy, mundane commuter bikes that wouldn't sell well in the U.S., and focused strictly on the high-end, lightweight sports models (the "RC" club line) and unique utility lines like the Low Gravity carrier to grab the attention of boutique American dealers.
