‘The Key-way to the Highway ‘ – The Rise and Fall of Raleigh – 100 years of Ads.

With muscles that answer quickly to call of the resolute will, With cheeks that glow and eyes that shine, An pulses that loud and thrill, I fly through the beautiful Kingdom That beckons my wheel and me, Queen of the world of girlhood, And sovereign of all I see. - Margaret E. Sangster.

 

Raleigh image from 1928

Raleigh image from 1928

Just over 100 years ago in 1913 it was announced that the Raleigh Cycle Company was the biggest bicycle manufacturing company int he world. In the 1920s and 30s they also produced motorcycles and even three-wheel cars – later forming Reliant Motors.

The company began in 1885 when Richard Morriss Woodhead and a Frenchman Paul Eugene Louis Angois started a small bicycle workshop on Raleigh Street in Nottingham in Engaland.

After WW2 Raleigh and other English cycling companies accounted for 95% of bicycles imported into the United States. Raleigh’s ‘sports roadster and the British racer bicycles were particularly popular.

The infamous Raleigh Chopper was patented in the UK in 1967 and in 1968 in the US. It became the coolest bike in the world. They were expensive for the time – £32 for the standard model rising to £55 for the deluxe bike. For smaller children the Chipper and the Tomahawk were released which also sold well.

 

Raleigh catalogue cover from 1922.

Raleigh catalogue cover from 1922.

 

The Duke of York (later to become George VI) watching the assembling of bicycles at the Raleigh factory in Nottingham. From 1929.

The Duke of York (later to become George VI) watching the assembling of bicycles at the Raleigh factory in Nottingham. From 1929.

In 1987 the German Bicycle manufacturer Derby Cycle bought Raleigh. In 2003 assembly of bicycles need in the UK. In April 2012, Raleigh UK, Canada and USA were acquired by a separate Dutch group Accell for £62m (US$100m), whose portfolio includes the Lapierre and Ghost bicycle brands.

Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, the 1958 debut novel by Alan Sillitoe, is partly set in Raleigh’s Nottingham factory, Sillitoe himself being an ex-employee of the firm. Several scenes for the 1960 film adaptation starring Albert Finney were filmed on location at the factory itself.

 

Wartime Raleigh ad. During WW2, the Raleigh factory in Nottingham was used for the production of fuzes. Bicycle production was reduced to approximately 5% of its peacetime capacity.

Wartime Raleigh ad. During WW2, the Raleigh factory in Nottingham was used for the production of fuzes. Bicycle production was reduced to approximately 5% of its peacetime capacity.

 

1936

1936

 

"Queen of the World of Girlhood" - Raleigh ad on cover of Cycling magazine, 1926.

“Queen of the World of Girlhood” – Raleigh ad on cover of Cycling magazine, 1926.

 

Raleigh Chopper ad from 1971. The "Chopper" sold millions worldwide and completely revived Raleigh's fortunes. The price was from approximately £32 for the standard version and £55 for the deluxe.

Raleigh Chopper ad from 1970. The “Chopper” sold millions worldwide and completely revived Raleigh’s fortunes. The price was from approximately £32 for the standard version and £55 for the deluxe.

 

1929

1929

 

"The Greatest Name in Cycling"

“The Greatest Name in Cycling”

 

 

Raleigh RSW16 ad from 1965.

Raleigh RSW16 ad from 1965.

 

Raleigh postcard from around 1972.

Raleigh postcard from around 1972.

 

"Down to the Sea" c.1955

“Down to the Sea” c.1933

 

Arthur Augustus Zimmerman was champion of the world cyclist in 1893.

Arthur Augustus Zimmerman was champion of the world cyclist in 1893.

 

Flintlock ride Raleigh in 1977.

Flintlock ride Raleigh in 1977.

 

The new Raleigh has science behind it. From 1958

The new Raleigh has science behind it. From 1958

 

1923

1923

 

c.1910

c.1910

Raleigh advert Raleigh chopper

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