The Monarch Cycle Company of Chicago was a driving force in America's first bike boom of the 1890s, claiming that Monarch was "The King of Bicycles." This may or may not be true, but the company decorated the head tubes of their bicycles with one of the most beautiful badges of the Victorian period. Note the telescoping Monarch tool bag on the handlebars, and the Lion bell. More and better photographs are forthcoming.

1899 Monarch ©Daniel Dahlquist