The Sterling Racer Identification

[BigMatt]

I have come across this early Sterling Bicycle and need some help identifying it and assigning a value. Thanks for all your help.

 

[Blue Streak]

Great bicycle. Possibly 1897 or 1898. Would like to know serial number if you can find it. More detailed pictures if possible may help date better. Here are catalog cuts from www.sterba-bike.cz

1897 Sterling Catalog:

1898 Sterling Catalog:

 

[BigMatt]

Wow!. Those are great advertisements! I will try to post a picture of the serial number. Where would it be on the bike?

Is there any idea of what the value would be? It is coming up for sale and I would like to get it so I can learn more about it.

 

[Barnegatbicycles]

Do you have a better picture of the rear hub and cranks?

 

[BigMatt]

I will tomorrow. I know it is a skip link chain.

 

[Barnegatbicycles]

 

[BigMatt]

Here are some more pics. It comes with 2 front wheels with different hubs. I assume one of them is correct.

 

[BigMatt]

Well, I wasn't able to purchase it. I took it to $1,200 but it went for $1,800 plus 15% buyer's premium.

 

[corbettclassics]

I said $2,000 tops in my PM to you. I guess I hit the number pretty close as a guess to what I thought it was worth. I felt it was a pretty good example as long as all the parts were correct for it. I liked this bike. Sorry you didn't get it.

 

[BigMatt]

You were right, but I also had opinions down to $1,100. I don't know them well enough to make the judgement call.

It would have been a neat project, I just don't like to pay more than something is worth. I think it is the old gun trader in me!