Duke 20th Century Cycles
Christine Watts
A DUKE lady's cycle (see
image below)
of 1948/49 era (number stamped on bottom bracket "772HP 048") was made
to
order for Frances Morris from design of a machine seen in
France.
Double chain ring 46 / 30. Rear sprockets 16, 18 and 20,
giving a low gear of 39".
Cyclo front changer, Simplex rear mech. Dixon
Morris, (the
purchaser of the cycle) was at that time an assessor for Zurich
Insurance and on the death of his wife Frances gave the machine to
Christine Watts in July, 1999 with the following information.Right: Duke headbadge showing Olympic
torch and Olympic rings.The Olympics were held in London in 1948
“Around 1948 Duke and his son had started frame building at 6 Boot Street, Shoreditch, London N1 They were not in business long when they were closed down as Duke Senior was found to be an undischarged bankrupt and he is thought to have retired from frame building as a result. His son went on to work for the Referee Company in Holborn.”
DUKE of Boot Street appears in the Postal Directory of 1949 only. This implies he was not at that premises when 1948 Directory went to print and was shut down during 1949. The advertisements found in "Cycling" for that period tie in with this.
Duke cycle from 1948, note Swiss badge on mudguard and Lucifer dynamo on left fork blade
This machine was used by the origal owner for touring in France and Switzerland
In March 2000, during discussion with John Bornhoft, Kingston Wheelers, John said a number of the Middlesex Clarion rode Duke's machines in the mid 1940's. Duke's business was then situated at or close to the Target roundabout on Western Avenue. Christine Watts has been unable to establish the exact address but it is presumably where Duke was declared bankrupt. (Bornhoft died shortly after so I was unable to follow up this line.)
Advertisement in "Cycling" from November 10th 1948:
DUKE'S
20TH CENTURY
CYCLES & FRAMES
Not exhibiting at Earls Court Exhibition but we are doing so during this
period at 19 Kenway Road, Earls Court Road.
Traders, clubmen, etc. cordially invited where entirely new
designs can be seen.
Works: 6 Boot Street, London N.1
CYCLES & FRAMES
Not exhibiting at Earls Court Exhibition but we are doing so during this
period at 19 Kenway Road, Earls Court Road.
Traders, clubmen, etc. cordially invited where entirely new
designs can be seen.
Works: 6 Boot Street, London N.1
Exhibiting at Earls
Court would
have been very expensive and above the means of a small firm such as
Duke. Many small builders held their own shows to coincide
with
the annual Cycle Show. It seems probable that Duke held his
display in a friendly cycle shop with whom they may have done business,
being near to Earls Court they would expect to attract some show
visitors.
Advertisement in "Cycling" December 15th 1948:
DUKES
CYCLES
for genuine handbuilt frames to your own specification.
Any type of finish given. Continental a speciality. Frames in 531 or Kromo from £7.10 onwards.
for genuine handbuilt frames to your own specification.
Any type of finish given. Continental a speciality. Frames in 531 or Kromo from £7.10 onwards.
The following advertisement appeared weekly in "Cycling" from December 22nd 1948, to the end of February 1949:
DUKE
Atomic Age of Cycle Construction
20th Century Frames
are genuinely hand-built; no jigs used as 90% are manufactured in this way.
Every tube guaranteed mitred to a degree.
Prices from £7.15.0.
Note: We are enamelling and chrome plating specialists. Your frame
enamelled with three coats, including sand blasting 25s.,
extra box lining 4s.6d., double two colour 6s.6d.,
full continental panels and linings 15s.
Atomic Age of Cycle Construction
20th Century Frames
are genuinely hand-built; no jigs used as 90% are manufactured in this way.
Every tube guaranteed mitred to a degree.
Prices from £7.15.0.
Note: We are enamelling and chrome plating specialists. Your frame
enamelled with three coats, including sand blasting 25s.,
extra box lining 4s.6d., double two colour 6s.6d.,
full continental panels and linings 15s.
DUKE
Cycle Builders since 1910
Works 6 Boot Street, Near Old Street,
LONDON N.1
Cle 1590
Cycle Builders since 1910
Works 6 Boot Street, Near Old Street,
LONDON N.1
Cle 1590
Duke's Advertisement from March 2nd was for a New Grand Prix model at 13 guineas. He continued advertising in "Cycling" magazine until August 3rd 1949.
A sporty short-wheelbase Duke owned by Bob Drake, featured in Readers' Bikes
If you own a Duke or
if you have more information on the company please contact the
webmaster - email address on home page