HILDEBRAND & WOLFMULLER: MISS THE LAST ONE?

If you didn't get a chance to bid on the previous Bonhams auction (earlier this year) of the world's first series production motorcycle, and in fact the world's first 'motorcycle' so named (motorrad auf Deutsche), you've got a second chance at the inaugural Bonhams Las Vegas auction, January 6th (Thursday) 2011, at the Imperial Palace.  And I have to say, bringing two authentic Hildebrand & Wolfmullers to auction within 12 months is quite a coup for the Bonhams gang - good hunting gents!

This particular machine dates from ca. 1895, and had a single owner for the past 50 years.  It was sympathetically restored decades ago, lending the machine a second patina, which looks very good indeed.  It's complete, and is estimated to fetch $130-150k...possibly a conservative estimate as the previous H&W which came under the hammer was in rough and incomplete condition, yet reached £86,200 (~$130k) - see photo below.

For a bit more info on the Hildebrand & Wolfmuller story, click here for my previous post on the subject.